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Sycamore Gap tree destroyed in 'moronic mission', court told (www.bbc.co.uk)

submitted 23 hours ago by Mex@feddit.uk to c/unitedkingdom@feddit.uk

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[–] tal@lemmy.today 2 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) (2 children)

tree destroyed

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sycamore_Gap_tree

The stump has thrown up seedlings and is still alive, albeit severely coppiced, but is expected to take more than 150 years to recover.

May or may not wind up quite as photogenic, but with apologies to Mark Twain, the reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sycamore-gap-tree-newcastle-crown-court-b2737600.html

Saplings from the tree are being grown and will be planted at sites across the UK, with the first already gifted to King Charles for planting in Windsor Great Park this winter. Shoots have also emerged from the base of the Sycamore Gap tree.

[–] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 1 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

The landmark is still destroyed. A stump isn't the same. What made the tree special was because it was pretty.

[–] tal@lemmy.today 1 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago)

Yeah, but I mean, it's probably far from being the only pretty tree in the country.

It sounds like it became a thing due to being in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-66994729

While a popular spot for walkers and photographers due to its unusual setting, it became famous after featuring in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner. Afterwards it gained the nickname the Robin Hood Tree - although in reality it was some 170 miles (273 km) from Sherwood Forest.

It looks like there's a new Robin Hood movie coming out (The Death of Robin Hood), and IMDB says that the filming is in the UK and Northern Ireland (well...should probably be Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but whatever). Maybe they can find themselves another nice tree in the UK for filming. Maybe the National Trust or some council that wants a famous tree can point 'em in the appropriate direction.

...maybe use an oak or yew or something even more long-lived and historically-accurate too, as the sycamore is an import...

http://www.mikepalmer.co.uk/woodyplantecology/sycamore/greatbritain.htm

Jones (1944) found that the first definite record of sycamore in England is that of Lyte in 1578, but suggests that it is probable that it was introduced to Scotland at a slightly earlier date. Some workers have argued that the Romans could have introduced it, but no conclusive evidence can be found (Bleay 1987). Sycamore remained rare around houses and in hedges though by the 17th and 18th centuries nursery records show stocking and sale of young sycamores (Bleay 1987). However, it was not extensively planted until the late 18th century (Jones 1944).

That first record of introduction is centuries after King Richard the Lionheart was running around.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_I_of_England

Reign: 3 September 1189 – 6 April 1199

Robin Hood was supposed to be a contemporary figure of King Richard, so he probably wouldn't have been spending time around sycamores...