Signs of life spotted at Britain's felled Sycamore Gap tree

LONDON (Reuters) - Signs of life have emerged at the base of Britain's Sycamore Gap tree, a much-loved landmark in northern England that was cut down last year in an act of vandalism that prompted an international outpouring of grief and anger.

Eight new shoots have now been spotted at the base of the stump, giving hope the tree might live on, the National Trust, which helps looks after the site, said on X.

Two men, who have denied charges of criminal damage, are due to stand trial in December over the felling of the statuesque sycamore, set in a natural dip in the otherwise treeless, sweeping landscape alongside Hadrian's Wall.

Photographs at the time showed the tree, estimated to be hundreds of years old and voted "English Tree of the Year" in 2016, lying on its side across the wall next to a freshly-cut stump.

The tree was photographed by tourists from around the world, and also known as the 'Robin Hood Tree' after featuring in the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves".

"Though small, we are hopeful the shoots could develop as 'new' trees around the original stump," the National Trust said. "The next few weeks and months are vitally important for the success of these shoots forming into the reinvigorated tree."

The National Trust has asked visitors to keep away from the stump and not to not touch the shoots.

(Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by William James)