The Sycamore STUMP is still a huge tourist spot: Hundreds of people have visited remains of world-famous tree three months after it was cruelly chopped down in ‘act of vandalism’
It was an iconic tree that was thought to be among the most photographed in the world. When it was mysteriously cut down, it caused national outrage.
But now the stump of the so-called Sycamore Gap tree has become an unlikely tourist attraction in its own right, MailOnline can reveal, with hundreds of people visiting the site every day.
The only tree, which was in Sycamore Gap and featured in the 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves', was felled in September and there were fears its loss would hurt Northumberland's tourism industry.
But it appears the tragedy has sparked new interest in the area, with similar numbers of people arriving to see the stump as when the only tree was still standing.
MailOnline came by to ask some arrivals why they had come.
Graeme Philips, 62, walked to the hole with this partner Sally Williams to celebrate her 61st birthday.
They had driven 220 miles north from Rugby, Warwickshire, mainly to visit the tree stump.
The Sycamore Gap, in Northumberland, was mysteriously cut down in September, but the remains have become an unlikely tourist attraction
Spaniard Carmen Zurbano, 60, and her Dutch partner Christoffel Klepper, 60, stopped by to see the world famous Sycamore Gap after reading about it in the Dutch newspapers
Nationwide Building Society call handler Sally said: 'We came here specifically for my birthday treat.
'It was a bit of a pilgrimage, neither of us had seen the tree when it was up.
'Now that we've seen the stump, we just think it's very sad.
“Whoever brought a chainsaw there acted very selfishly.”
Truck driver Graeme said: 'We knew about the tree before the vandalism but it clearly became more famous after it was cut down by some idiot.
“They should cut off his legs, see how he feels,” Graeme joked, “I don't know what goes through someone's head to do something like that.
“Sycamore Gap is still a beautiful place and we're glad we visited. We were in the area and felt we should do that.”
Spaniard Carmen Zurbano, 60, and her Dutch partner Christoffel Klepper, 60, stopped by to see the world-famous Sycamore Gap after reading about it in the Dutch newspapers.
Carmen said: 'The tree being felled made international news and I read about it
'It's unfortunate that this happened. It's unbelievable and something I don't understand.'
Christopher said: 'This is a beautiful area and I hope the tree can grow back from what is left.'
Judith Painter, 44, and her husband David, 45, had driven from Oldham to walk the section of the Roman Wall to Sycamore Gap.
The Sycamore tree stump is behind a fence and tourists are asked to keep their distance
Graeme Philips, 62, walked to the Gap with this partner Sally Williams (right) to celebrate her 61st birthday, while twin brothers Alex and Andrzew Wilson, 41, (left) were also heading to Sycamore Gap
Resting against the stump is a bouquet of flowers in memory of the Sycamore Gap tree with a tribute that reads: 'You shine like a star for everyone'
Hospital nurse Judith says: 'As a young girl I went with her on a school trip and it was always a beautiful memory. It's heartbreaking to see what an idiot did to such a beautiful tree.
'We didn't touch the twigs that were left behind, but I saw one of the two people taking them. I guess they just want to keep them as a memory, I guess they don't do any harm, they didn't climb on the stump or anything.”
Taxi driver David said: 'I've never been there but when Judith heard the felling was going on she was quite upset.
'We decided to come and see what's left and it's still a beautiful place, although thoughts are a bit sad now.'
Twin brothers Alex and Andrzew Wilson, 41, were also headed to Sycamore Gap.
Alex, who lives nearby, said: 'Everyone knows who cut it down, it's all over the internet.
'He's an angry man who has the means and the motive, everyone knows he did it. He's smart enough to have done it and covered his tracks in the darkness and he got rid of the chainsaw.”
Andrew was visiting his brother from Southport and had never been to Sycamore Gap before.
“I thought I'd like to see the hole,” Andrzew said.
'The event itself, the cutting down of the tree, is now part of the history of the place.
“I guess that's half the motivation for him to cut down the tree; he thereby gives himself a kind of narcissistic inheritance.'
The Sycamore Gap before it was brutally cut down. It was one of the most photographed trees in the world
An aerial view of the fallen tree in September, which sparked national outrage and an outpouring of heartfelt tributes and memories
Workers stand by a tree trunk as parts of the Sycamore Gap tree, which was felled by a vandal, are removed from the area
Work begins with the removal of the felled Sycamore Gap tree while a crane picks up a section of the chopped tree
The National Trust has left a framed sign next to the fenced tree stump that reads: 'This tree stump is still alive. If we leave it alone, new growth can emerge. Please respect the barrier.”
The Sycamore tree stump is behind a fence and tourists are asked to keep their distance. It is hoped that new growth will emerge from the 200-year-old stump next spring.
The National Trust, which owns the land, wrote on a sign: 'This tree stump is still alive. If we leave it alone, new growth can emerge. Please respect the barrier.”
Workers have removed the massive trunk and branches of a 50-foot tree, but twigs — some with green buds on them — remain at the site and some tourists collect them as souvenirs.
In November, two men in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and released on bail. A boy aged 16 and a man in his 60s had previously been detained after felling the tree.