Over a year ago, two men cut down a 200-year- old sycamore tree. This criminal act and the public reaction to it reveal two very different attitudes to nature – or do they?


The Sycamore Gap Tree was the most photographed tree in the UK, a place where people marked life events. While its destruction was an extreme example, and rightly caused an outcry, many special sites are damaged by the thoughtless behaviour of those who use them. Eden’s new CEO Andy Jasper was


Director of Gardens and Parklands at the National Trust when the tree was felled. ‘This tree became a symbol of loss and then hope and a starting point for the responsible recreation project (CARE),’ he said, ‘which encourages thoughtful engagement with nature, finding ways for humans to enjoy and respect the outdoors in harmony.’ The benefits of accessing green and blue spaces are well-established. It’s not a new concept, whether Roman mineral baths, Victorian seaside trips or mountain convalescence. Octavia Hill, a founder of the National Trust, was keen to conserve open spaces for the poor so that fresh air could counter the ills of urban overcrowding and pollution. People needed, she said, ‘Places to sit in, places to play in, places to stroll in, and places to spend a day in,’ as ideas about the need for ‘recreation’, a reset in nature, gained popularity. As many as 40,000 people a year in the UK are dying early as a result of air pollution, while 17% of people have a mental health condition; people need nature more than ever. But does nature need them?


‘Recreational disturbance’ is listed as


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