The Sycamore Gap : Folklore of the Sycamore Tree (a message of hope)

The Folklore, Mythology and symbolism of the Sycamore tree.
This is a message of hope and resilience in honour of the 'Sycamore Gap' Sycamore tree, an iconic part of the landscape of the north of England, which was felled by vandals last week. The search for suspects is still ongoing as of the making of this video.
Situated along the walking route of Hadrian's Wall, the tree was much loved by the British Public, and recognised across the world since it has featured in numerous Hollywood films, including 'Robin Hood : Prince of Thieves'.
In this video I will talk about the history and properties of the European Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) as well as the Myth and Folklore of the superficially similar but unrelated Near Eastern Sycamore Mayple (Ficus sycomorus) which is its namesake.
This is the Tree of Life of ancient Egypt and was a sacred tree also in Israel and Palestine.
To support my work as a folklorist and storyteller, please consider making a small donation on Patreon: / thestorycrow

[@TheStoryCrow]

To support my work as a folklorist and storyteller, please consider making a small donation on Patreon: www.patreon.com/TheStoryCrow

[@aaronwilliams007]

Thank you.

[@janetownsley865]

Someone once told me that trees are sentient. Hard for us tree huggers to imagine how someone could fell these trees that have witnessed and recorded so much. I live among towering old oaks, maples, and pines where the prairie meets the north woods. Their power is immense. Going dark here, but sometimes I look at these huge old trees and think the forests will reign again after we humans have done ourselves in. Hows that for some hope?

[@TheStoryCrow]

Well stated. There’s a much greater immensity to the ‘Wild’ in your part of the world. You have to really seek it out here.

[@lorifromtemeculaca426]

Thank you for honoring the trees!

[@graceygrumble]

The loss of that tree affected me. It was beautiful. I welled up. The desperately unhappy, angry and spiteful person, or people, who did this wanted to make us unhappy, angry and spiteful, too. I well up more imagining that lost soul.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Well stated

[@rorytehoro]

Great message and really enjoying your videos. Thank you so much.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Glad you like them ☺️✨

[@cardinalscience2600]

Great work! Love the final message. Not east to uphold, but certainly worth striving for.

[@TheStoryCrow]

🙏🌳✨ Thanks for watching

[@mariGentle]

I find it enormously sad when our old friends are felled. I was lucky enough to hug the tree at the gap 2 years ago, but I didn’t know about the yew at Battle, I Live a few miles from Battle, I love Yews they are very important. I have had the privilege of planting over 4000 trees so far in my life and live under the arms of many oaks. I consider trees family ❤

[@TheStoryCrow]

That is a very noble thing to do, and I see you and raise a glass to you. I do the same 🌲 🌳✨

[@GhostZero1111]

The sycamore is a member of the maple family, and just like the maple it's sap is edible and quite delicious to drink or make a syrup with. There are ways to tap the tree to collect the sap without hurting the tree. As a gardener i can attest to just how quickly the sycamore grows and unless the root is removed completely it will keep growing back again and again (very quickly). It also sheds it's seeds everywhere and sycamore shoots will find their way into areas that you may not want a tree to grow. The shoots are poisonous to horses so it can be a problem in pastures where horses graze. With all that said, help or hinderance, the sycamore should be looked at with respect, as should all of natures wonders. Thank you for the stories, i very much enjoy them. All the best my friend.

[@TheStoryCrow]

I know it’s relentless isn’t it?? Totally forgot to talk about the sap. Thanks for bringing that up 👍

[@katyoduinn3452]

I've known 2 horses personally who died from sycamore poisoning... just one blown seed can do it depending on the tree and the horse.... can't say I'm hugely fond of them but the sycamore gap tree was incredible. For some reason they seem to be getting more poisonous to horses.

[@drowsyZot]

Not sure how I missed this one, but thank you! I am always a little upset when old trees come down. Feels like we're losing institutional memory somehow. I have a big sycamore in my backyard too, which I love. It's a native tree, though, an American sycamore, or Platanus occidentalis, and unrelated to either the European or Egyptian sycamores. Apparently there are a lot of sycamores.

[@TheStoryCrow]

😂🌳🌳🌳 apparently there are ☺️

[@louisebritton3009]

Beautifully said my friend🙏🦉

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thank you kindly

[@michelewhite36]

What a lovely message at the end, thank you. I was very sad to hear about this tree, and it immediately made me think of loss at Glastonbury as well. Looking forward to seeing lots of positive efforts to protect and preserve and plant trees come out of this experience.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Me too 🌳🙏

[@frankieberry]

I love your tree videos as well as all of your videos. Such a sad thing to cut the tree down. I hope that it will grow back bigger and stronger. I love your message about forgiveness and planting trees.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thanks for these word Frankie 🙏🌳

[@gookey9924]

It will grow back , but will take years and will not be the same as what it was with the iconic picture view or at least sadly not in the lifetime of any of us adults now.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Sadly true

[@CarolynAitken-yp2rq]

I’ve got a sycamore sapling growing outside in my yard oddly I have actually picked up on the young trees anxiety about being felled it hasn’t started budding yet it doesn’t know weather to live or die, I had to take down a shed that stood right by it because it was very old and rotten I feel that the young tree sensed something was going on and feels it’s going to be it next, I say feel because trees don’t think they feel.I know most people will think I’m mad but I’m not both plants and trees have feelings and they sense through energy things that are going on around them, they are especially aware of other trees and plants growing near by and can sense if another tree is sick or there is something happening to another tree. Sorry if that all sounds crazy but it’s true!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Totally agree 🙏☺️🌳✨🌱

[@sichere]

Perfect ending to the video - Less hate more trees - Simple

[@TheStoryCrow]

🌳 ❤️

[@lucydanger3902]

You are not a doughnut! Thanks for an informative video. 😃

[@TheStoryCrow]

I happen to like donuts 🍩

[@drewknoles3258]

People like that vandal are why we can't have nice things.

[@TheStoryCrow]

😆

[@hotelsierra86]

I’m told that the sycamore plays host to more varieties of lichen than any other UK tree.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Interesting, I didn’t know that 🤔 I would have said oak, but I’m no arborist 🌳

[@s_n_o_w_f_a_l_l]

I will start this with saying that, I agree wholeheartedly that the person that did this should not be getting death threats and the sort but we are allowed to be angry. We must be able to feel feelings about something that is, inheretly an injustice. To hold onto anger, of course is not healthy for the mind or body, but to block/not allow feelings, negative or positive to be felt is just as unhealthy. Be angry at the person that caused the injustice, APPROPRIATELY have them repromanded and use your emotions for a positive return in the end, ie planting more native trees. Forgiveness is earned. This person should be TAUGHT that he is included in this natural world that we are all a part of. That he has destroyed a part of to hurt others and if he can understand that, then to me, that would merit forgiveness. Sorry for the essay. This is just one strangers two cents lol

[@TheStoryCrow]

Hey, I absolutely agree with you - anger can be a very constructive emotion and we should be allowed to feel and process these emotions. Well stated stranger 🙏🌳

[@clarahudson8283]

Very beautifully said ❤️

[@TheBrandiersProject]

Such a sad story. There's been an ancient Yew cut down by a farmer too now, in the last few days.

[@TheStoryCrow]

I heard 🙄