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Scientists believe that this will be enough to revive the iconic tree.
In September 2023, the 300-year-old Sycamore Gap Sycamore Gap near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, northeast Great Britain, was destroyed.
The tree became truly famous after appearing in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, after which it was nicknamed the Robin Hood Tree. It is still unknown why it was cut down, but the police suspect two men.
The loss of the iconic tree was a real tragedy for scientists, who even intended to resurrect it in the future, but nature did everything by itself. 10 months after the destruction of the Robin Hood tree, 8 shoots immediately appeared on its stump, writes focus.
Northumberland National Park ranger Gary Pickles was the first to spot the shoots during a routine inspection of the area. Later, scientists from the National Foundation confirmed that new shoots did indeed grow from the stump of the felled tree.
National Trust researchers and Northumberland National Park Service staff hope the new shoots will be able to form 'new' trees around the original stump. Scientists note that there is hope, because even though the main part of the Robin Hood tree was cut down, the Sycamore Gap Tree did not actually die.
The trunk and root part of the iconic tree continued to live in the soil, and therefore scientists did not lose hope that they would be strong enough to give new life.
According to the National Trust's general manager at Hadrian's Wall, Andrew Poad, the tree was mature, strong and in fact in its prime when it was felled. As a result, the stump has always had the potential for regeneration, and now we see that scientists were not in vain.
Researchers note that now the plan to "resurrect" the iconic tree will require patience and careful observation of young shoots. Although the appearance of new shoots is a good sign, the Robin Hood tree still remains in a vulnerable position. Employees of the National Fund plan to take additional protection measures to preserve the shoots.
It is planned to expand the fenced area around the stump, which will make it possible to avoid compaction of the soil around the root system of the tree. In addition, scientists asked tourists and local residents to refrain from scattering the ashes of loved ones in the area around the stump and on it.
The researchers plan to monitor the new shoots over the next few years to make sure they are healthy. After some time, a decision will be made on what to do next.
The National Trust says its teams hope to have the seedlings ready for planting within 12 to 24 months and plan to publish information on planting locations in September.
