Heart stopping beauty of Sycamore Gap brought to life by ‘Heartwood’: An exhibition of five tree prints created from a disc of the felled tree’s trunk

The National Trust approached printmaker Shona Branigan, known for her detailed and evocative tree prints, to create the commemorative artworks that will be exhibited at four locations along the span of Hadrian’s Wall.

The fallen tree, which towered 50-foot above Hadrian’s Wall before it was felled last September, was removed from site and has been looked after by the National Trust in a safe location while the charity works with its various partners and artists to ensure there is an enduring legacy of the tree informed by the huge public response to its loss.

Five prints are to be displayed at four locations: Newcastle City Library, Hexham Abbey – which will host two prints - Housesteads visitor centre on Hadrian’s Wall and Carlisle Tourist Information Centre. All venues are publicly accessible and free to enter.

The exhibition will run until 1 September 2024 before all five prints will go on display together at The Queen’s Hall, Hexham, from 6 September until 19 October 2024.

Individually themed, named and coloured, the giant tree prints show every tree ring, groove and detail from the cross-section of the almost heart shaped trunk of the 200-year-old tree.

Funded by North East Combined Authority and developed in collaboration with the National Trust, Northumberland National Park Authority, Hadrian’s Wall Partnership and Historic England, ‘Heartwood’ is the first official artistic response created in memory of the much-loved fallen Northumberland tree.

Following the unprecedented public response and outpouring of emotion to the tree’s felling last September, the organisations have together developed a programme of legacy work from the thousands of suggestions for ways in which to remember the historical landmark.

Through three emerging themes, ‘Nature Response’, ‘Space for Reflection’, and ‘Artistic Response’, people will be encouraged to connect, reflect and remember the iconic tree in positive and meaningful ways.

More details will be shared in the coming months as it approaches one year on from the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree and will include engagement work with local schools, tree planting initiatives in the North East, digital legacies and further artistic interpretations.

Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust at Hadrian’s Wall, said: “The Sycamore Gap tree was adored by so many, and it is through their memories, words and pictures that it lives on today. We wanted to create opportunities for the public to further connect with the tree, building on its significance and its place in people’s hearts.

“Heartwood will be a space for just that, for people to respond and engage with Shona’s exceptionally beautiful artworks that capture the very essence, the ‘heart’ of the treasured tree.”

Printmaker Shona Branigan worked from her studio in Grizedale Forest using traditional methods and materials to create the delicately detailed set of hand burnished relief prints from the precious disc of sycamore wood.

Each ‘Heartwood’ print has unique depth, context and colourways, with names linked to the Sycamore Gap tree and its historic location. ‘Knowledge’ is gold ink; ‘Spirituality’ is blue, ultramarine ink, with iridescent electric blue, purple and hansa yellow watercolours; ‘Landscape’ is burnt umber ink with sap green and yellow ochre watercolour; ‘History’ is Venetian red ink and hansa yellow deep watercolour.

The fifth print, ‘Access’ is hand pressed onto heritage rag paper without ink in a process called Blind Embossing, presenting a tactile experience, inviting touch along the rings of the tree.

Shona Branigan said: "It is with wood printing specifically that my fascination with trees and their lives in the landscape is expressed. I felt privileged to be asked to print Sycamore Gap, and I also felt a responsibility to do my best so that I could honour not only the tree itself but all the people who loved the tree too. As a north easterner I have known Sycamore Gap all my life and visited regularly, the tree was such a haven in the wild landscape.

“The actual process of printing the Sycamore gap has been epic. It's a really big piece and a slow process due to it all being done by hand, first creating a printable surface from the rough wood, then applying traditional inks, before beginning the slow process of printing using a bone folder tool so that I can reach every nuance of the surface. The paper is laid on top and becomes embossed with the 3D shape of the wood and tree rings, which are the embodiment of the landscape in tree cellular form. It's taken several hours, and my muscles are definitely aching after the effort - but, now that the series of prints are complete, I am pleased and proud of my work.

“It's a testament to the tree, to the life of that tree and the lives of other trees to see, to work with it, to see its life, to appreciate it."

For a number of years, Shona volunteered in the press room at Cherryburn, the Northumbrian farmstead cared for by the National Trust and the birthplace of Thomas Bewick, world-renowned wood engraver and naturalist, where she learned traditional printmaking techniques. Her extensive knowledge and experience of working with wood printing was what led the charity to approach Shona to develop the meaningful artistic response.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness added: “Our iconic tree can never be replaced but this beautiful artwork allows its memory to live on.

“The loss of the Sycamore Gap tree was a devastating moment for me and for so many others across the region and the world. I’m so pleased that something positive can come from this and that communities have been part of developing the exhibition.”

The National Trust is currently working with Shona to produce a special ‘Heartwood’ related print to go on sale in due course. Details on how to purchase a print will be announced by the National Trust on social media later in the year.