Historic England has confirmed a minimum age for the Sycamore Gap tree, which dominated headlines the world over when it was illegally felled in September 2023.
The tree-ring counting investigation undertaken by Historic England shows that the tree was at least 100-120 years old when it was felled.
This is the first research into the age of the Sycamore Gap tree, with Historic England’s national Investigative Science team having analysed a sample. Before this, it wasn’t known how old the tree was.
The dendrochronological (tree-ring counting) study found 100-120 growth rings from the two main stems, with each ring typically indicating a year of growth. The sycamore’s wood was in good condition, suggesting it was a healthy tree at the time of felling, in its home by Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland National Park.
These new findings suggest that the tree may have been first planted in the late 19th century.
More stories about the Sycamore Gap
- "Cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree was an act of spite". Did “resentful cynicism” drive the guilty two or was it for "bragging rights and trophy-hunting”?
- Sycamore Gap tree: 'Astonishing' new shoots emerge from stump
- 64 per cent of BBC Countryfile Magazine readers disagree with the Sycamore Gap tree sentencing – for a surprising reason
Top image: Sycamore Gap on Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland (credit: Historic England)
