IDENTITY: WHY SHOULD WE CARE?

‘The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less we shall have for destruction.’ (Rachel Carson)

‘When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder.’ (Maya Angelou)

Habits of Mind: Listening with understanding and empathy

Just over one year ago, the felling of one tree caused an outcry not just in the UK where it occurred, but across the world. It was an ancient sycamore tree that stood next to Hadrian’s Wall near Crag Lough in Northumberland. The tree stood in a dramatic dip in the landscape created by glacial meltwater and was one of the country’s most photographed trees. It was long known and loved by hikers and the 200 year old tree attracted new fans from all over the world when it starred in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner in 1991. Then in 2016 the tree won the England Tree of the Year award.

And later with the advent of social media, it became a symbol that everyone wanted to capture for their Instagram moment. Not only that, but it had become a place for reflection and contemplation, and a place where people chose to mark special occasions in their lives. It was both a place under which people had proposed marriage and even scattered the ashes of loved ones. In many ways it had become something of a sacred tree, for which people felt a particular respect or reverence.

That is why when the National Trust ranger Andrew Poad got the call on 28^th September 2023 with the news that someone had felled the tree, the story quickly spread across the media. At first the concern was over possible damage that may have been done to the wall but then it was the loss of the tree that triggered an outpouring of emotion. There was both anger and a deep sadness at the wanton destruction of an ancient and much loved tree. But then the work began to propagate new saplings from the seeds of the felled tree. The saplings propagated will go to local communities, schools and organisations and help create new woodland and nature areas. These saplings will ensure that the felled sycamore tree will continue to live in another form.

A spokesman for the National Trust said: ‘The outpouring we’ve seen shows just how important the connection is between people and nature in its many forms, and as we consider plans for this special tree, and this very special place, we’ll also look to harness that support for trees, landscapes and nature all across the country, and use the sycamore as a symbol of recovery.’ And so the sycamore tree has now become a symbol of hope for people across the country and indeed across the world. What is amazing is how the care for just one sycamore tree has united people in such a unique way. Why should we care? Because it is by caring that we can bring about change . But it is by caring for someone or something specifically like one tree, that real change can come about.

Christine Crossley