South Tyneside Green Party condemns Sycamore Gap vandalism 

Leader of the Opposition and Green Party councillor for Beacon and Bents ward in South Tyneside said,

“I’m shocked and disappointed to hear the news today of the felling of the iconic tree at Sycamore Gap in Northumberland. There has been an outpouring of outrage and distress from right across the North East and beyond. It’s only right that people feel very strongly about this and recognise it as a terrible act of vandalism and mindless destruction.
It’s also a wake-up call about damage being done to trees across our region and beyond every single day – not just in places like Sycamore Gap, but in our neighbourhoods, towns and communities – those trees need our protection too’.

The Sycamore Gap Tree or Robin Hood Tree was a sycamore tree standing next to Hadrian’s Wall near Crag Lough in Northumberland, England. It was located in a dramatic dip in the landscape and was a popular photographic subject, described as one of the most photographed trees in the country. The tree was estimated to be around 300 years old. It’s won a number of awards and featured in numerous films and tv shows.

On the 28th September 2023, news broke of the illegal felling of the tree from authorities.