Sycamore Gap tree update: Hadrian’s Wall damaged by vandals as National Trust flooded with offers of help

Hadrian’s Wall has been damaged by the vandals who chopped down the Sycamore Gap tree, investigators have discovered.

Historic England said it found “some damage” had been caused to the 1,900-year-old wall, one of Britain’s best-known Unesco world heritage sites, in a preliminary inspection.

A spokesperson for the historical preservation body told The Independent: “While we identified that Hadrian’s Wall has sustained some damage, we have not been able to access the site to carry out a full investigation so a further archaeological appraisal will take place once the site is considered safe.

That’s it for tonight – we’ll bring more on the Sycamore Gap tree in the morning.

In case you missed it: Experts say the much-loved sycamore tree could be saved:

A postbox “topper” has been knitted to remember the sycamore tree that was axed.

The creative item has appeared on a postbox in Hexham, Northumberland.

The National Trust has disclosed that its rangers and horticultural specialists have collected seed and cuttings from the Sycamore Gap tree.

The charity said: “National Trust rangers and horticultural specialists have collected seed and cuttings from the tree, using special permission from DEFRA. The material is with the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre team of specialist propagators while the charity decides the best way forward.”

The National Trust has said it is still working on plans for the safe removal of the Sycamore Gap tree from its site in Northumberland.

In its latest update, the charity said it has been “overwhelmed” by over 150 offers of help and thousands of messages of support.

While its immediate priority has been ensuring the safety of the site and tree, the National Trust added that it is “beginning discussions with stakeholders about the future of the site”.

The charity’s statement said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve seen from near and far. It is clear this tree was special to many, many people. We’ve received over 150 offers of help, and still rising, and thousands of messages of support, with many sharing their memories and good wishes with us.

“Offers of help and ideas for the future of the tree have ranged from craftspeople offering their skills, to fundraising initiatives. We’re grateful to everyone who has been in touch.

“In the immediate term, our priority has been to ensure the safety of the site, and the tree, and to support staff and the local community coming to terms with the news. We are beginning discussions with stakeholders about the future of the site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and will be working with Northumberland National Park and local people to decide the best way forward. We will share updates as soon as we know.”

The National Trust, which manages the land where the Sycamore Gap tree once stood, is meeting with its stakeholders to decide whether to try to save or replace the iconic maple.

The charity said it has been “overwhelmed” with messages of support and offers of help.

“It is clear this tree was special to many, many people,” a spokesperson told The Independent. “In the immediate term, our priority has been to ensure the safety of the site, and the tree, and to support staff and the local community coming to terms with the news.

“We are beginning discussions with stakeholders about the future of the site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and will be working with Northumberland National Park and local people to decide the best way forward. We will inform people as soon as we know.”