Public Vote Determines Future of Sycamore Gap Tree's Wood
The National Trust has initiated a public vote to decide which of six shortlisted artists will create a significant artwork from the wood of the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree, a landmark that stood for over a century along Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. This commission, described as "nationally important," follows the tree's illegal cutting down in September 2023, an act for which Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were each sentenced to more than four years in prison for criminal damage last July.
Voting Process and Timeline
The public vote, which opened on Saturday, March 14, 2026, and will run until March 28, 2026, will account for 30% of the final decision, with a panel of art and nature experts contributing the remaining 70%. The winning artist or collaboration will be announced later in the spring, and the artwork is expected to be completed by 2028. Annie Reilly, National Trust public engagement director and chairwoman of the judging panel, emphasized the tree's emotional impact, stating it became "part of the emotional landscape of the nation."
Shortlisted Artists and Their Proposals
The six shortlisted artists or collaborations, each offering unique ways to honor the tree, include:
- Alex Hartley and Tom James (Devon and London): Viewpoint – An elevated platform made from the wood, designed to lift people into the space where the tree stood, followed by a national tour to spark conversations about the UK's future.
- Helix Arts x George King Architects (North East): The People's Tree: A Shared Story – A community engagement program featuring a story archive, touring exhibition, and sound sculpture near the Gap for reflection.
- Mary Dalton (Hampshire): Sycamore Gap Black – Using the wood to create artists' materials like charcoal and inks, leading to new works and a touring exhibition.
- non zero one (London): SEEDS – A nationwide artwork where participants receive sycamore seeds inlaid with wood, encouraging connection with nature and changing landscapes.
- Sam Williams Studio (Sussex): Stories of 1,000 Trees – A storytelling project collecting tales of 1,000 trees to create a shared space for reflection at Sycamore Gap.
- Trigger (Bristol): Twirl – An event with paper wind-powered seeds, a sound bath from tree-made instruments, and a wind harp installation, with participants receiving carved seeds.
Background and Significance
The Sycamore Gap tree, located in a natural dip along Hadrian's Wall, was a beloved landmark before its illegal felling. The National Trust's call for proposals in September aimed to repurpose half of its timber into a meaningful artwork. Ms. Reilly highlighted that the vote allows the public to help shape the ongoing story, with each proposal capturing different aspects of what the tree meant to individuals across the UK.
Voters can cast up to three votes using a valid email address, contributing to a decision that blends public opinion with expert judgment. This initiative underscores the tree's enduring legacy and the community's role in preserving its memory through creative expression.
