Simon Armitage, the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, has shared his tribute to the felled Sycamore Gap on Instagram. 

The iconic tree was tragically felled in late September, and tributes have been flying in from all over the world in the six weeks since. 

The stump of the tree was later removed by crane and carefully stored at a National Trust property.

A much-loved site that was perhaps most famous for its scene in the 1991 classic film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, the Sycamore Gap tree will be greatly missed not just by the people of Northumberland but all around the globe. 

It is perhaps no surprise therefore that Simon Armitage, who took over from Carol Ann Duffy as Poet Laureate in 2019, has written a poem in memory of the ancient tree. 

Armitage emphasises his sadness at the tree felling, and the stupidity of the culprit, with a few beautifully written lines. 

He writes: "Feeling the tight grain crumble like bread as the chainsaw yawned then breezed through hundreds of years of weather and kings and blah blah blah."

His former role as a probation officer seemingly shines through in his writing, as he shows sympathy with the 16-year-old boy who was arrested in the wake of the felling.

He writes: "But I'm not here to nail teenage flesh to the timber cross, not here to witness you walking the plank, son."

Like many others, his writing suggests that he hopes that the felling of Sycamore Gap can be used as a catalyst for a greater respect towards the environment.

He adds: "The carpenter's art begins with a death; now build a forest, now plant a house, now carve a leaf."

Sir Anthony Gormley shared a similar viewpoint, having turned down the opportunity to create a sculpture to take the iconic tree's place at Sycamore Gap. 

He said: "In the wake of the many debates that have followed the sadness and incomprehension of the felling, has arisen the urge to repair, renew and replant."

Armitage's full poem can be seen on his Instagram page here.