There is hope that Northumberland’s most beloved tree could regrow from its stump after it was deliberately felled.

The tree at Sycamore Gap fell overnight on Wednesday (September 27) causing widespread anger and dismay and creating headlines across the UK and beyond.

Northumbria Police launched an investigation and have arrested a 16-year-old male on suspicion of criminal damage, who has since been released on bail.

Local experts have told the local democracy reporting service that sycamore trees can regrow from stumps in the form of a coppice. It is hoped that the tree will be able to regrow and become as iconic as it once was for future generations.

Paul Lambert, an arboricultural consultant known as the Northumbrian Arborist, said: “Now that it has been felled, all the energy from the root system is trying to push into that stem.

“It will grow back. Branches and leaves will form and it will be a coppice.

“It won’t be as aesthetically pleasing and it will take time. They could manage the regrowth to encourage the energy into a single shoot, so the stump grows another stem as such, although it will never be what it was originally.”

Cllr Glen Sanderson, the leader of Northumberland County Council, said he felt it would be best to let nature heal itself.

He said: “Ultimately, it will be the National Trust, English Heritage and the National Park who make the decision. I would like to see saplings coming from the stump – if it is tended to carefully, that is what I would like to see.

“There is no reason why we can’t have that tree regrow and continue to be so important to everyone. Making it from the same tree is the way to go, although it won’t be the same in my lifetime.

“It is a tough thing and it will continue if we just leave it alone and let nature take its course.”

Cllr Sanderson added that he was against suggestions to put a sculpture of the tree on the site.

He continued: “Growing it from the tree is the way to go. I don’t think we should have a sculpture.

“The beauty was that it was natural, it was far better than anything man could ever produce. Let’s leave it to nature to heal itself.”

The National Trust, the owner of the land, said it would work with partners and the community and partners to figure out a plan for the site and the tree itself.

A spokeswoman for the trust said: “We’re very grateful for all the offers of support we’ve received – from people in the North East and much further afield. It is clear this tree was special to many, many people.

“Currently, we are focused on making the site safe, and helping staff and the community come to terms with the news. We will be working with Northumbria National Park, other partners and the local community to consider plans for the site and the tree in the future, and we will inform people as soon as we know. We’ll also post any updates on our social media channels.”