Sycamore tree

About Sycamore tree: 

• It was located in a dip between two hills, at a gap in the Hadrian Wall – an old stone structure that is close to the border between England and Scotland – in Northumberland, northern England.
• The ‘gaps’ are essentially channels, which were “naturally chipped away by vast amounts of meltwater flowing beneath the ice sheets that once covered the area,” thousands of years ago. 
• Features:
  • This tree can become extremely tall as they mature – reaching a height of up to 35 metres.
  • They are commonly found in the UK and have leaves similar to that of a maple tree.
  • The bark is dark pink-grey, and smooth when young, but becomes cracked and develops small plates with age. 
  • A sycamore can live for as long as 400 years.
• Distribution: It is native to central, eastern and southern Europe, it is believed to have been introduced to the UK by the Romans or in the Tudor era around the 1500s.

What is the Hadrian Wall?

• It is part of a larger UNESCO World Heritage Site called the ‘Frontiers of the Roman Empire’ and is found in the UK and Germany.

Q1) What  is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

These are places of cultural, historical, scientific, or natural significance that have been recognized and protected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These sites are considered to be of outstanding value to humanity, and their preservation is seen as a global responsibility.

Source: UK’s beloved Sycamore Gap cut down: The tree and its significance