While a popular spot for walkers and photographers due to its unusual setting, it became famous after featuring in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner. Afterwards it gained the nickname the Robin Hood Tree - although in reality it was some 170 miles (273 km) from Sherwood Forest.
It looks like there’s a new Robin Hood movie coming out (The Death of Robin Hood), and IMDB says that the filming is in the UK and Northern Ireland (well…should probably be Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but whatever). Maybe they can find themselves another nice tree in the UK for filming. Maybe the National Trust or some council that wants a famous tree can point 'em in the appropriate direction.
…maybe use an oak or yew or something even more long-lived and historically-accurate too, as the sycamore is an import…
Jones (1944) found that the first definite record of sycamore in England is that of Lyte in 1578, but suggests that it is probable that it was introduced to Scotland at a slightly earlier date. Some workers have argued that the Romans could have introduced it, but no conclusive evidence can be found (Bleay 1987). Sycamore remained rare around houses and in hedges though by the 17th and 18th centuries nursery records show stocking and sale of young sycamores (Bleay 1987). However, it was not extensively planted until the late 18th century (Jones 1944).
That first record of introduction is centuries after King Richard the Lionheart was running around.
Yeah, but I mean, it’s probably far from being the only pretty tree in the country.
It sounds like it became a thing due to being in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-66994729
It looks like there’s a new Robin Hood movie coming out (The Death of Robin Hood), and IMDB says that the filming is in the UK and Northern Ireland (well…should probably be Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but whatever). Maybe they can find themselves another nice tree in the UK for filming. Maybe the National Trust or some council that wants a famous tree can point 'em in the appropriate direction.
…maybe use an oak or yew or something even more long-lived and historically-accurate too, as the sycamore is an import…
http://www.mikepalmer.co.uk/woodyplantecology/sycamore/greatbritain.htm
That first record of introduction is centuries after King Richard the Lionheart was running around.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_I_of_England
Robin Hood was supposed to be a contemporary figure of King Richard, so he probably wouldn’t have been spending time around sycamores…