Hairy Bikers say Sycamore Gap tree culprit ‘murdered spirit of Northumberland’
A man in his sixties has been arrested in connection with the felling of the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree after a teenager was released on bail.
Sycamore Gap, thought to be around 300 years old, was made famous by actor Kevin Costner when it appeared in his 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, and was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016 in the Woodland Trust’s awards. It has become one of the most photographed trees in the UK.
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney-Menzies, of Northumbria Police, said: “The senseless destruction of what is undoubtedly a world-renowned landmark – and a local treasure – has quite rightly resulted in an outpour shock, horror and anger throughout the North East and further afield.
“I hope this second arrest demonstrates just how seriously we’re taking this situation, and our ongoing commitment to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
“Although another arrest has been made, this investigation is still in the early stages, and we would continue to encourage any members of the public with information which may assist to get in touch.”
Man in his 60s arrested following felling of Sycamore Gap tree
A man in his 60s has been arrested by officers investigating the felling of the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland, Northumbria Police said.
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney-Menzies, of Northumbria Police, said: “The senseless destruction of what is undoubtedly a world-renowned landmark – and a local treasure – has quite rightly resulted in an outpour shock, horror and anger throughout the North East and further afield.
“I hope this second arrest demonstrates just how seriously we’re taking this situation, and our ongoing commitment to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
“Although another arrest has been made, this investigation is still in the early stages, and we would continue to encourage any members of the public with information which may assist to get in touch.
“If you’ve seen or heard anything suspicious that may be of interest to us – I’d implore you to contact us.
“I’d also like to remind the public that this remains a live investigation so, for that reason, please avoid any speculation both in the community and on social media.
“Any information – no matter how small or insignificant you think it may be – could prove absolutely crucial to our enquiries.”
Eleanor Noyce29 September 2023 20:07
‘If anything demonstrates the state of society nowadays it is this’
“I almost cried when I saw the picture of this iconic tree cruelly cut down. The attached picture was taken 3 years ago”, reader Ian Paton told The Independent.
“People came from miles around. A stunningly beautiful national monument, nothing less.
“Sadly if anything demonstrates the state of society nowadays it is this. My heart breaks.
(Ian Paton)
Eleanor Noyce29 September 2023 21:15
Tree ‘won’t ever be as good of a tree as it was’, says gardener
Rob Ternent, head gardener at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, has said the Sycamore Gap tree will start growing again but “won’t ever be the same shape or as good of a tree as it was”.
He said: “It’s worth a try but I think livestock and wildlife will potentially damage it as well. It’ll be very difficult to get it back to the original tree.
“The growing season’s coming to an end now but by spring next year it will have some life in it. It’ll probably be about eight foot tall, but it’ll be lots of singular branches, more bushy.
“It was about 300 years old so it’ll take a long time to get back to that size. It’s a massive shame.”
(PA)
Eleanor Noyce29 September 2023 20:49
Nature expert calls for ‘sycamore gap forest’ to replace felled tree at Hadrian’s Wall
A nature expert has called for a “Sycamore Gap forest” to replace the felled tree at Hadrian’s Wall.
The tree, next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, was felled overnight on Thursday in what police believe was an act of vandalism.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
Nature expert calls for ‘sycamore gap forest’ to replace felled tree at Hadrian’s Wall
Eleanor Noyce29 September 2023 19:45
National Trust: Sycamore Gap tree was ‘very loved and special to many people for many reasons’
The National Trust has thanked the public for sharing their messages of sympathy following the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has shared their messages of sympathy and offered their support since we shared the news about the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree. It is clear the tree was very loved and special to many people for many reasons”, the organisation wrote on X.
“Our ranger team have been on site today to collect seeds and cuttings from the tree, and we will be working with N’Land National Park, other partners and the local community to consider plans for the site and the tree in the future.
“We are currently focussed on making the site safe and helping staff and the community come to terms with the news. We ask that people keep away from the site at the current time while we fully assess the fallen tree and carry out the necessary work to ensure it is safe.”
Eleanor Noyce29 September 2023 19:15
The Sycamore Gap Tree in pictures as nature lovers ‘shocked and saddened’ by felling
A tourist attraction, a film location and a symbol of hope – the felled Sycamore Gap tree was many things to many people.
The 300-year-old natural beauty was one of the most photographed trees in the country and an iconic sight next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. However, this week it was felled prompting an outpouring of anger and sorrow, from campaigners and the public alike.
It is not clear what happened yet, and a 16-year-old arrested as part of the investigation has now been released on bail. But the outrage over the tree toppling is still palpable.
Eleanor Noyce29 September 2023 18:43
Sycamore Gap: ‘Minutes to cut down and centuries to grow back, if it ever does’, say experts
“Minutes to cut down and centuries to grow back, if it ever does,” is the devastating verdict of experts on the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in the aftermath of its destruction.
Northumbria Police launched an investigation on Thursday after the majestic Sycamore Gap, which is thought to be around 300 years old, was cut down overnight. The force arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with the incident but has since released him on bail.
Eleanor Noyce29 September 2023 18:10
Can the Sycamore Gap tree be saved?
Striking a note of optimism after the iconic Sycamore Gap tree was felled, experts have suggested it could be saved.
In an incident that caused widespread outrage and upset, the world-famous tree, next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, was chopped down overnight on Wednesday.
However, all hope is not lost, according to Andrew Poad of the National Trust, who pointed to the health of the ancient Sycamore Gap, which is thought to be around 300 years old, as giving reason to believe the tree could regrow.
Eleanor Noyce29 September 2023 17:49
Hand-painted stones reveal touching messages left at stump of Sycamore Gap tree
Members of the public have left stones carrying messages at the site where the famous Sycamore Gap tree once stood.
Images show hand-painted stones strewn by the stump of the tree, one which reads “miss you, mum.”
The tree appeared in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves and was part of the landscape for 200 years.
The National Trust confirmed that the tree had been cut down overnight and according to Northumbria Police, a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage in connection with the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree.
(EPA)
(EPA)
Eleanor Noyce29 September 2023 17:21
LBC host argues felling of Sycamore Gap tree represents the ‘cultural glue’ being ‘splintered’
Taking a call from Sam, who labelled discourse about the tree’s felling a “distraction” from important global issues, LBC host Tom Swarbrick argued that this moment represents the “cultural glue” being “splintered.”
“The way people are speaking about it, it’s crazy. It’s like someone has died”, the caller argued.
“It’s a tree at the end of the day, and it seems like…it does feel like a distraction, like something else is being covered up with this story.”
“Of course, there are myriad different things going on in the world. There are whole legions of things happening elsewhere”, Mr Swarbrick replied.
“I’ve chosen to talk about this tree because I think people are genuinely frustrated, angry and upset about what has happened to this tree. I think that general anger and upset is not just about the tree…I think it’s something else.
“I think it is…the cultural glue that is being splintered. The erosion of a collective feeling.
“I think people look around them in this day and age and I think they believe that people around them have a limited understanding of anything other than themselves.”
Eleanor Noyce29 September 2023 17:07