New shoots on the trunk of Britain's most famous 'Robin Hood' tree

Three years after it was deliberately felled, the famous “Sycamore Gap” tree near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, northern England, is showing clear signs of recovery, having grown a dense ring of green shoots around its cut trunk, some reaching heights of 60 to 90 centimeters.

The National Trust explained that protective measures taken to safeguard the roots, including reducing soil compaction and limiting visitor access, are beginning to yield encouraging results.

Andrew Bood, the National Trust’s manager for the Hadrian’s Wall area, said the new shoots offer hope that the tree will continue to grow, with rangers to determine in the future how best to manage it based on its development.

The tree, which appeared in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” was cut down in September 2023. Daniel Graham and Adam Caruthers were convicted in May 2025 and each sentenced to four years and three months in prison on July 15.

Alongside the trunk’s recovery, the National Trust has planted 49 saplings grown from seeds of the original tree at various locations across the UK, as part of a project to preserve its legacy for future generations.