Essan Posted September 28 #1 Share Posted September 28 This is all over my social media feeds (partly because many of my friends are hillwalkers and photographers) - but it's also a leading, breaking news headline on the mainstream media: Quote Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian's Wall 'felled overnight' Police are investigating the deliberate felling of one of the UK's most iconic trees, which appears to have been cut down in an act of vandalism. The large tree at Sycamore Gap, next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was apparently cut down overnight. Northumberland National Park Authority officials believe the tree, known as Robin Hood's Tree, was "deliberately felled" and asked people to stay away. Photographer Ian Sproat said his "heart was ripped out" when he saw the damage. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-66947040 I wouldn't like to be the culprit if/when he is identified. He may need to find a very remote rock in the Pacific to hide under ..... 1 1 1 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsnotoutthere Posted September 28 #2 Share Posted September 28 I've never understood the psychology of vandalism, what does a presumably sane mind get from it? Theft I can understand, but vandalism benefits no one....or does it? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wistman Posted September 28 #3 Share Posted September 28 (edited) Kill kill kill. For what. Edited September 28 by Wistman 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pellinore Posted September 28 #4 Share Posted September 28 This isn't thoughtless, like someone kicking over stuff in the street, or breaking wing mirrors off cars, or even carving their initials into a wall to post online. Someone planned it and took the trouble to carry a chainsaw up to destroy the tree. There'll be a motive of some sort. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pellinore Posted September 28 #5 Share Posted September 28 1 hour ago, pellinore said: This isn't thoughtless, like someone kicking over stuff in the street, or breaking wing mirrors off cars, or even carving their initials into a wall to post online. Someone planned it and took the trouble to carry a chainsaw up to destroy the tree. There'll be a motive of some sort. Maybe I'm wrong: Boy, 16, is arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage after world famous Sycamore Gap Tree along Hadrian's Wall which featured in 1991 Robin Hood film was felled | Daily Mail Online 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still Waters Posted September 29 #6 Share Posted September 29 New shoots could still grow from one of the UK's most famous trees which was deliberately chopped down, but it will never be the same again, experts say. The landmark at Sycamore Gap, beside Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was felled overnight on Wednesday. National Trust manager Andrew Poad said the stump was "healthy" and they might be able to coppice the tree, where new shoots grow from the trunk's base. A boy, 16, has been held on suspicion of criminal damage and bailed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-66957589 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OverSword Posted September 29 #7 Share Posted September 29 That's messed up. I'm not surprised that a teenager is "assisting in the investigation" That translates to narcing out your friends in hope of getting a more favorable sentence. Teenagers tend to suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pellinore Posted September 29 #8 Share Posted September 29 (edited) 1 hour ago, Still Waters said: New shoots could still grow from one of the UK's most famous trees which was deliberately chopped down, but it will never be the same again, experts say. The landmark at Sycamore Gap, beside Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was felled overnight on Wednesday. National Trust manager Andrew Poad said the stump was "healthy" and they might be able to coppice the tree, where new shoots grow from the trunk's base. A boy, 16, has been held on suspicion of criminal damage and bailed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-66957589 Coppicing: still used to make fencing today. Coppicing - Wikipedia Edited September 29 by pellinore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pellinore Posted September 29 #9 Share Posted September 29 (edited) 9 minutes ago, OverSword said: That's messed up. I'm not surprised that a teenager is "assisting in the investigation" That translates to narcing out your friends in hope of getting a more favorable sentence. Teenagers tend to suck. He's not necessarily dobbing others in. We use the term "helping the police with enquires" or "assisting with enquiries" as euphemisms which include "he got those bruises falling down the stairs in the police station, your 'onour". Though that won't be occurring in this instance. Edited September 29 by pellinore 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pellinore Posted September 30 #10 Share Posted September 30 (edited) On 9/28/2023 at 2:57 PM, Wistman said: Kill kill kill. For what. Latest theory is that it is a TikTok stunt. Police officers investigating the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree are looking into claims the shocking act of vandalism was carried out as part of a TikTok stunt, it has been reported. The new line on enquiry emerged after a man in his sixties was arrested last night in connection with the destruction of the Northumbrian landmark. Police investigate claims the beloved Sycamore Gap tree was felled for a TikTok stunt as officers arrest a man in his sixties just hours after a 16-year-old boy was released after being questioned | Daily Mail Online Edited September 30 by pellinore 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dejarma Posted September 30 #11 Share Posted September 30 i'm not outraged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still Waters Posted October 2 #12 Share Posted October 2 A man in his 60s who was arrested over the cutting-down of the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree has been bailed. A police presence remained at the site on Friday and across the weekend, with forensics officers taking measurements and samples from the remains and photographing the area. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-66980494 Man accused of deliberately felling world-famous Sycamore Gap tree speaks out https://www.ladbible.com/news/uk-news/sycamore-gap-tree-northumbria-arrest-update-188544-20231002 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplybill Posted October 2 #13 Share Posted October 2 I live in the US, and even I’m feeling heartbroken about this. If it was a statue of a historical figure that was torn down, it wouldn’t be a big deal to me because a statue can be replaced, but an iconic tree such as this one is irreplaceable. Another tree may be planted in the same spot, but it won’t have the nostalgic value of a tree with centuries of growth and the shared affection of the public. For many people, I think the loss of that tree could be similar to the loss of a family pet. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pellinore Posted October 2 #14 Share Posted October 2 59 minutes ago, simplybill said: I live in the US, and even I’m feeling heartbroken about this. If it was a statue of a historical figure that was torn down, it wouldn’t be a big deal to me because a statue can be replaced, but an iconic tree such as this one is irreplaceable. Another tree may be planted in the same spot, but it won’t have the nostalgic value of a tree with centuries of growth and the shared affection of the public. For many people, I think the loss of that tree could be similar to the loss of a family pet. I don't think whoever did it (one theory is it is a disgruntled farm worker who was sacked by the landowner) realised how infamous it would become. It's in the Smithsonian: England's Beloved Sycamore Gap Tree Has Been Chopped Down | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVK Posted October 2 #15 Share Posted October 2 1 hour ago, simplybill said: I live in the US, and even I’m feeling heartbroken about this. If it was a statue of a historical figure that was torn down, it wouldn’t be a big deal to me because a statue can be replaced, but an iconic tree such as this one is irreplaceable. Another tree may be planted in the same spot, but it won’t have the nostalgic value of a tree with centuries of growth and the shared affection of the public. For many people, I think the loss of that tree could be similar to the loss of a family pet. We had a similar incident in Austin TX The Treaty Oak is a Texas live oak tree in Austin, Texas, United States, and the last surviving member of the Council Oaks, a grove of 14 trees that served as a sacred meeting place for Comanche and Tonkawa tribes before European colonization of the area. Foresters estimate the Treaty Oak to be about 500 years old.[1] Before its vandalism in 1989, the tree's branches had a spread of 127 feet (39 m). The tree is located in Treaty Oak Park, on Baylor Street between 5th and 6th Streets, in Austin's West Line Historic District. In 1989, in a deliberate act of vandalism, the tree was poisoned with the powerful hardwood herbicide Velpar. Lab tests showed the quantity of herbicide used would have been sufficient to kill 100 trees.[2] The incident sparked community outrage, national news reports, and a torrent of homemade "Get Well" cards from children that were displayed on the fence around the park. Texas industrialist Ross Perot wrote a blank check to fund efforts to save the tree.[3] DuPont, the herbicide manufacturer, established a $10,000 reward to capture the poisoner. The vandal, Paul Cullen, was apprehended after reportedly bragging about poisoning the tree to cast a spell.[4] Cullen was convicted of felony criminal mischief and sentenced to serve nine years in prison. The intensive effort to save the Treaty Oak included applying sugar to the root zone, replacing soil around its roots, and installing a system to mist the tree with spring water. Although arborists expected the tree to die, the Treaty Oak survived. Still, almost two-thirds of the tree died, and more than half of its crown was pruned. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_Oak_(Austin,_Texas)#:~:text=In 1989%2C in a deliberate,sufficient to kill 100 trees. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still Waters Posted October 12 #16 Share Posted October 12 The Sycamore Gap tree being cut up and removed from its site next to Hadrian's Wall was "like a funeral", a National Trust manager has said. A crane has been brought in to take the trunk away, which has had to be cut into pieces as it weighed 3-4 tonnes. Andrew Poad said it felt like "the funeral or the wake" of the 19th Century Northumberland tree, which he has worked around for about 35 years. But he added: "This is where we can start talking about the future." People have been urged to stay away from the landmark while it is being removed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-67087497 Watch as the Sycamore Gap tree is removed https://www.facebook.com/bbcneandcumbria/videos/304282895684367/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electric Scooter Posted October 12 #17 Share Posted October 12 (edited) I`m not outraged, I`ve not met anyone outraged, I suspect the media had a lack of stories on that day. Why the fuss about a tree? Edited October 12 by Electric Scooter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pellinore Posted October 13 #18 Share Posted October 13 I agree that chopping down a tree is low down on the scale of global problems, I think the outrage is just because it is pointless vandalism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still Waters Posted October 22 #19 Share Posted October 22 Remains of Sycamore Gap tree moved to secret site over trophy hunter fears The tree that once graced and gave its name to Sycamore Gap has been cut up and its pieces held at a secret location because of fears it will go the way of the Berlin Wall – chunks of which were looted by trophy hunters, the National Trust has said. Police have reportedly caught several people trying to take pieces of the wood, while several legitimate attempts to reclaim it for purposes such as making artworks have also been made. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/22/sycamore-gap-tree-secret-location-national-trust-hadrians-wall 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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