The public is being handed a direct role in shaping the legacy of one of Britain’s most beloved natural landmarks, as a national vote opens to decide the future of the Sycamore Gap tree’s timber.
Six artists and creative collaborations have been shortlisted by the National Trust for a major commission to transform half of the tree’s salvaged wood into a permanent artwork. From today, the public can cast up to three votes online, with their preferences forming 30% of the final decision. The remaining 70% will be determined by a panel of nature and art experts.
The initiative marks a significant step in the ongoing story of the tree, which was illegally felled in an act of vandalism that provoked national outrage more than two years ago.
The Night of the Felling and its Aftermath
On the night of September 27-28, 2023, during Storm Agnes, Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both from Cumbria, travelled to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. The National Trust described the act as “deliberate and mindless”.
Using a chainsaw that has never been recovered, the pair cut down the world-famous sycamore, which stood in a dramatic dip next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. They also caused damage to the ancient wall itself, valued at £1,144, and took a wedge of the tree as a trophy. A video of the felling, with metadata placing it at the scene just after midnight, was later found on Graham’s phone.
At their sentencing in July 2025, where they received four years and three months in prison for two counts of criminal damage, the judge stated their actions were likely driven by “sheer bravado” and a desire for notoriety. The criminal damage to the tree was valued at £622,191.
Why the Tree Meant So Much
The loss was felt so acutely because the tree was far more than a natural feature. Planted in the late 1880s by landowner John Clayton, the approximately 150-200 year old sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) was an icon of the North East. It won the “England Tree of the Year” award in 2016 and its fame was cemented globally by a starring role in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”.
For countless people, it served as an emotional anchor—a site for proposals, a place to scatter ashes, and a symbol of resilience and continuity. Annie Reilly, National Trust public engagement director and chair of the judging panel, said it had become “part of the emotional landscape of the nation.”
In the wake of the felling, a huge programme of conservation and commemoration was launched by a partnership including the National Trust, Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA), Historic England, and the Hadrian’s Wall Partnership.
A Multi-Faceted Legacy Takes Root
Even as the felled wood was stored to season for 28 months, other projects ensured the tree’s story continued. A 6ft section of the trunk was preserved and turned into a permanent art installation titled “Sycamore Gap: Coming Home” by artist Charlie Whinney at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre. The installation incorporates public tributes and visitors are encouraged to touch the wood.
Meanwhile, printmaker Shona Branigan created five commemorative ‘Heartwood’ prints from a cross-section of the trunk, which have been exhibited at Seaton Delaval Hall and other locations along Hadrian’s Wall.
Perhaps the most potent symbol of regrowth is the original stump itself, which has shown signs of life with over 25 new shoots emerging. Furthermore, 49 saplings grown from rescued seeds have been planted across the UK in publicly accessible spaces as “Trees of Hope”, with one gifted to His Majesty The King. A further 15 are destined for each of the UK’s National Parks.
The Six Visions for the Timber
The current public vote focuses on the use of the main store of seasoned timber. The shortlisted proposals range from sculptural installations to nationwide participatory projects. They aim to gather personal stories, distribute symbolic carved seeds, build platforms for conversations about climate, or bring communities together in song.
The six artists or collaborations in the running are: Alex Hartley and Tom James (Devon/London); Helix Arts x George King Architects (North East); Mary Dalton (Hampshire); non zero one (London); Sam Williams Studio (Sussex); and Trigger (Bristol).
“Each of the six proposals honours the tree in a different way,” said Ms Reilly. “We want people to choose the idea that captures what the Sycamore Gap tree meant to them.”
Looking Forward
The winner of the commission is due to be announced later this spring, with the final artwork expected to be completed by 2028. The project forms part of a resilient narrative for the region. Despite initial fears, visitor numbers along Hadrian’s Wall remained strong in 2024, exceeding 750,000, and tourism infrastructure continues to receive investment.
From a mindless act of destruction, a complex legacy of art, memory, and natural regeneration is being carefully cultivated, with the public now invited to help write its next chapter. Voting is open at the National Trust’s website until March 28.
