New shoots have been spotted growing from the stump of the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland.
The new growth consists of eight tiny, green shoots – each stem has between one and six small leaves and measures two to four centimetres in height.
The famous tree, which stood in a dip in Hadrian's Wall, was illegally cut down in September 2023, but the shoots offer hope that a new tree, or trees, will develop around the stump, allowing this icon of Northern England to live on.
The new shoots were found by national park ranger Gary Pickles, who was also first on the scene when the tree was felled 10 months ago.
"It was serendipitous that I decided to walk up to Sycamore Gap to recce a guided walk planned for September, almost a year to the anniversary," says Pickles.
"I've done this walk several times over the last year, but this time it was different, there was something new - the trunk was showing signs of regeneration.
"I was first at the scene when the tree was discovered felled, and I remember saying hurriedly that it was gone. Now, I hope I can say that it's back.
"My job as ranger for Hadrian's Wall Path is all about conserving the past. So, in my head I had consigned the tree to history and so I am amazed and delighted that it may have a future after all and is making a go of it."
The National Trust is asking the public to keep their distance from the stump and not touch the new shoots.
“To see signs of life, just 10 months on, is astonishing,” says Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust at Hadrian's Wall. “Thankfully it was a big, mature, strong and vigorous tree so we hoped it would regrow but there has not been much sign of it through the growing season this year.”
"Our aim is to leave all eight shoots to grow for a few years to see how they develop."
The new growth spotted on the Sycamore Gap tree stump isn't the only chance for this famous landmark to live on. Seedlings gathered from the tree after it was felled are developing into saplings at the National Trust's Plant Conservation Centre, and may be planted in the next two years.
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