Park ranger Gary Pickles experienced a life-changing moment when he learned that the iconic Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian's Wall had been intentionally felled on September 28, 2023. Initially doubting the call from a local farmer, Gary felt increasing anxiety as he drove to the site. Upon arrival, he was met with a shocking sight—a gaping hole where the tree once stood.
Believing the damage could have been caused by Storm Agnes, Gary soon realized the tree had been deliberately cut down. His shock turned to anger and urgency as he informed Northumberland National Park officials, who reached out to both local and global media, as photos of the downed tree went viral.
General manager of the National Trust, Andrew Poad, described the loss as akin to "losing a loved one," generating widespread grief among staff and the public. The incident quickly escalated into what would become a major global news story, with journalists flooding the site for coverage.
As the day unfolded, forensic teams were called to collect evidence, and the site transformed from a serene location into a crime scene. Eighteen months later, both Pickles and Poad reflect on the tragedy, noting the lasting emotional impact and the gap left in the landscape and their lives. Tourists still visit the stump, a poignant reminder of what was lost.
