Sycamore Gap stump surrounded by ring of shoots three years on from felling

Undated handout photo issued by the National Trust of a close-up of new shoots at Sycamore Gap stump three years after it was felled illegally. Three years since the tree at Sycamore Gap was felled, the National Trust has shared images of a thick ring of new shoots around its stump. New growth at the site at Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland stands two to three feet tall and show the benefit of keeping the area fenced off, the conservation charity has said. Issue date: Monday September 28, 2026. PA Photo. The tree was illegally felled on September 28 2023 by Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers who travelled from their homes in Cumbria to cut down the much-loved sycamore during a storm. Photo credit should read: Annapurna Mellor/National Trust Images/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

A thick ring of shoots has grown at the site of the famous felled tree at Sycamore Gap, three years after it was illegally cut down.

The stump, next to the historic Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, is now surrounded by shoots standing two to three feet high.

As it fell, the tree crashed down onto Hadrian’s Wall while Graham filmed on his phone. The pair also took away a section of the tree as they left.

It caused a national outcry at the time and the pair were jailed for four years and three months each for criminal damage – both to the tree and to the nearby ancient wall – in July 2025.

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In the hopes it would recover, the tree stump was fenced off, a move the National Trust now says is beginning to pay off.

Undated handout photo issued by National Trust of the Sycamore Gap tree before it was felled. (Picture: John Millar/National Trust Images/PA Wire)
Undated handout photo issued by the National Trust of Hadrian's Wall with the fenced Sycamore Gap and a view of High Shields Crag. Three years since the tree at Sycamore Gap was felled, the National Trust has shared images of a thick ring of new shoots around its stump. New growth at the site at Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland stands two to three feet tall and show the benefit of keeping the area fenced off, the conservation charity has said. Issue date: Monday September 28, 2026. PA Photo. The tree was illegally felled on September 28 2023 by Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers who travelled from their homes in Cumbria to cut down the much-loved sycamore during a storm. Photo credit should read: Annapurna Mellor/National Trust Images/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

Saplings have been grown from seeds found at the site, while art projects inspired by the tree show the importance of nature in the modern world.

Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust at Hadrian’s Wall, said: ‘These flourishing shoots are really encouraging and show that the special measures we’ve taken, including reducing soil compaction around the roots and limiting human disturbance, are paying off.

‘We’re grateful to all the visitors who, through the care they are taking, are supporting our efforts to protect the tree and give it the best possible chance to thrive.

‘We’re monitoring the tree closely and, over time, our rangers will manage it depending on how it develops.

‘But for now, we’re filled with hope by the way nature is taking its course.’

The tree was likely planted in the late 19th century and had become a popular tourist attraction, drawing in visitors for picnics, proposals, to spread ashes and to celebrate birthdays.

Undated handout photo issued by the National Trust of thriving new shoots at Sycamore Gap three years after it was felled illegally. Three years since the tree at Sycamore Gap was felled, the National Trust has shared images of a thick ring of new shoots around its stump. New growth at the site at Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland stands two to three feet tall and show the benefit of keeping the area fenced off, the conservation charity has said. Issue date: Monday September 28, 2026. PA Photo. The tree was illegally felled on September 28 2023 by Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers who travelled from their homes in Cumbria to cut down the much-loved sycamore during a storm. Photo credit should read: Annapurna Mellor/National Trust Images/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Undated handout photo issued by the National Trust of thriving new shoots at Sycamore Gap three years after it was felled illegally. Three years since the tree at Sycamore Gap was felled, the National Trust has shared images of a thick ring of new shoots around its stump. New growth at the site at Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland stands two to three feet tall and show the benefit of keeping the area fenced off, the conservation charity has said. Issue date: Monday September 28, 2026. PA Photo. The tree was illegally felled on September 28 2023 by Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers who travelled from their homes in Cumbria to cut down the much-loved sycamore during a storm. Photo credit should read: Annapurna Mellor/National Trust Images/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

She rejected a claim by Carruthers that he was drunk at the time, saying the attack would require skill and co-ordination and pointing out that both men were experienced tree surgeons.

She also rejected Graham’s attempts to blame the attack on Carruthers, saying both men were ‘equally culpable’.

‘Although there may be grains of truth, I do not accept they are wholly honest or the whole story,’ the judge said.

‘I’m confident a major factor was sheer bravado.’

She also accused the pair of revelling ‘in their notoriety’ in the aftermath of the felling.

Carruthers was released from prison after serving just 10 months of his sentence in March of this year under the Home Detention Curfew Scheme following a risk assessment.

Mrs Justice Lambert initially told him and Graham they would serve 40% of the sentence in jail, with the remainder to be served on licence in the community.

Carruthers now has to wear an electronic tag, plus follow a curfew and licence conditions.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson previously told : ‘Anyone released into Home Detention Curfew faces strict licence conditions and must be tagged. Those who break the rules can be returned to prison.’

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Original source Sycamore Gap stump surrounded by ring of shoots three years on from felling

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