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 There is news today of the vandalism of cutting down a not very old sycamore on Hadrians wall, which had become a photographers icon apparently.

The image is of a single sycamore stump, though it might have been either two closely planted trees or a division just above ground.  It seemed not circular, but more eight shaped.

Anyway in classic fashion they failed to point out the the tree was obviously planted there, and not that long ago.  Less than 60 years would be my wild guess.  This planting of a tree near a historic monument is itself a clear act of vandalism.  And a sycamore could be seen at this latitude as being a non native species, I guess.

I think I might prefer to clap the cutter rather than the planter.  

It was a little inept though letting the tree fall on the wall itself.

I am sure  that the Roman legions would have worked out that having trees near this military structure was a very bad idea, and they certainly would have cut it down pronto.

Martin

Update.   People are still claiming the 300 years age.  It must be a very slow growing sycamore.  The trunk is not massive.  My neighbour has a specimen that could be up to a hundred years old that makes this look a toddler.  

The shape looks a little strange with the lowest couple of branches either side looking wider, than all those above it.  Perhaps it had a trauma or pruning at some stage.

One notes no obvious young sycamore around.  This is not my experience.  I therefore conclude it has no nearby neighbours, increasing my thought that this is not a natural native plant, and is not being pollinated successfully.

M

Update 2

on bbc news.  Well it sounds more like under 150 years old, which is a great deal more realistic....m

"The National Trust, which looks after the site with the Northumberland National Park Authority, said it was planted in the late 1800s."

# posted by martinW @ 2:20 pm