Sycamore Gap set to go on public display in bid to preserve famous tree's legacy
In a bid to try preserve the legacy of one of the UK's most-famous trees it has been revealed that it will go on public display.
After it was cut down in a "deliberate act of vandalism" that sparked a huge backlash, Northumberland National Park has now said the largest section of the felled tree would go on display at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, a tourist attraction close to Sycamore Gap, in September.
The park authority has been working with the National Trust to decide how best to celebrate the world-famous tree which was reported to be the most photographed on the planet. It was part of the Hadrian’s Wall Unesco world heritage site and for decades it had drawn walkers and visitors and was a magnet for photographers, and wedding proposals.
And there are further plans under consideration to make much more of a tree that has even featured in a Hollywood blockbuster – Kevin Costner's Robin Hood Prince of Thieves in 1991. But the park authority has stated that there will not be another intervention at the site of the tree for now as the plan is to leave the stump to nature in the hope it will regrow in time.
The 'deliberate act of vandalism' sparked a huge outcry around the world (Getty Images)In December, the National Trust, who are the tree's guardians, said they are closely monitoring the seeds and material collected from the original tree – which are being cared for at the charity’s specialist plant conservation centre. After it was cut down, workers removed the vast trunk and most of the of 50ft branches, but twigs, some with green buds on them, remained at the site and some sightseers collected them as keepsakes.
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The main part of the tree's trunk has been preserved and will be used for, among other things, art projects (Getty Images)Meanwhile, Northumberland National Park said it has been taking advice from specialists in wood preservation and the timber has been treated and stored safely to be used by artists in the future. A series of creative commissions with the wood will be announced over the coming months, which will include working with schools, community groups and individuals.
According to MailOnline, Tony Gates, chief executive officer of the park authority, said: "The felling of the Sycamore Gap tree has shown just how much nature and landscape mean to people and to their very wellbeing. As stewards of the legacy of Sycamore Gap, the partners have been humbled by the outpouring of love and emotion for the tree.
The authorities put up a sign warning visitors off touching or removing bits of it (PA)"We understand the diversity of opinions surrounding a future legacy and are committed to navigating this journey with the utmost care and respect. We are grateful for everyone's patience and understanding."
The authority said it had received 2,000-plus "heartfelt" messages from people from all around the world expressing sorrow after the tree taken down in September. It added that for many people the 300-year-old Sycamore Gap played a "significant part in their lives" and it is committed to ensuring people can continue to build personal connections with the "special place".
The National Trust have placed a sign close to the tree's former site that says: "This tree stump is still alive. If we leave it alone it might sprout new growth, please respect the barrier." Following the felling of the tree, hundreds of people flocked to the site daily to pay homage to it.
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