The Sycamore Gap Tree

[PassingStranger]

2 men on trial for felling the tree.
Aren't they embarrassed, what on earth possessed them?
They weren't exactly young either.

Grown men
Bet their parents are proud not?
Grow up.

They've turned on each other and I stupidly hope that they get off and the other one doesn't, is my guess!

A lot of ashes had been scattered at the base of the tree. It had become a sacred site for many people. That is why so many people are so angry. Imagine your Mum's or your child's ashes have been scattered at Sycamore Gap. You can see why so many people took it personally.

"oh,it's only a tree". Well let's chop them all down and speed up global warming, don't worry about the carbon capture!

It's an iconic tree, but possibly more about the sheer, unadulterated stupidity, the mindless vandalism - perhaps a reflection on some parts of society. Why did you do this stupid thing? Dunno, shrug.

There’s a picture I’ve seen of one of them posing with two baby owls. What is he doing with them? I can’t think of a reason why he would have two baby owls.

Yeah I wasn't endorsing the theory, I just saw the thread and remembered what I read yesterday. It was on a forum of people talking about city folk flocking to instagramable areas since Covid and doing things like building rock stacks and damaging walls. I have zero knowledge to bring to the discussion I just thought it might be worth adding, I stand corrected!

Needless to say I think they're utter morons and it's an absolute tragedy, makes me sad even thinking about it.

I think it sums up a very small section of our society.

Selfish, stupid, ignorant, vacuous, destructive, pointless.

Utterly valueless human beings who are an embarrassment to their families and their communities.

It wasn't 'just a tree'. It was a historic landmark, loved by millions.
I live the other side the world and was enraged and saddened by this act.

I despair at the “it’s just a tree” comment! Trees are crucial to our lives. They capture carbon and release oxygen through photosynthesis. Walking near trees also relaxes us and lifts our mood. This particular tree was 100-years-old (the older larger trees provide the greatest benefits) and was iconic due to its position. Also to the “it’s just a tree” person, in addition to decimating the tree, they damaged Hadrian’s Wall. It is a major historic monument, having been created circa 122 AD. Would you argue that is “just a wall”?

What a sad pair of inadequate, insecure men. I reckon one or both certainly have erection problems

O my giddy aunt

Almost certainly some kind of phallic envy at play

It infuriated me in the same way litter droppers infuriate me. OK so it might not matter to the people who don’t care but it’s just such a slap to the face to everyone who wants to make things a little better in life.

as it’s easier to destroy than create - or leave well alone, even

I felt very upset when this happened, I just cannot comprehend why anyone would do what they did, according to the papers they planned it meticulously, filmed it and boasted about it and they have the nerve to plead not guilty so are costing the tax payer a trial on top of the international upset of destroying a historic symbol in our country, and as for posing with baby owls, more than likely this isn’t the first time they have committed wildlife crime, what’s the betting they stole them from their nest? They are despicable human beings and I hope they get a long prison sentence, I will be livid if they don’t.

I would add thick to that list - one of them kept the recording of the chainsawing on his phone.

Why ? I cannot believe that anyone could be so horrible and destructive to something that’s been there for years and years.
Mindless behavior.

I hope the pair of fuckers get a good, long prison stay!

@jewelcase I don't know if it's a typo, but the Guardian report says this about the amount of the damage being claimed re the tree -

Graham, of Carlisle, and Carruthers, of Wigton, are jointly charged with causing criminal damage worth £622,191 to the tree. They are also charged with causing £1,144 of damage to Hadrian’s Wall, a Unesco world heritage site. The wall and the tree belong to the National Trust.

Its not "just" anything
Trees are not only living things in their own right they are actual eco systems, more like a village. I love trees and certainly have my favourites in the woods at the back of my house, some of them must be 1000years plus.
I have no idea what posessed these men, they were hardly just walking past they deliberately went there with a chainsaw to cut it down.
I am sure their punishment will be inadequate

Because they were proud of destroying a beautiful, natural, very old ecosystem, and revelled in the consternation it would cause. Like them fuckwits who wrecked the Paddington Bear bench. And trophy hunters who think it's cool to shoot animals and pose with their corpses.

Old enough to know better but they preferred to be total dicks. Men like them are the reason many can't have nice things.🤨

Cunts!

I am baffled why they did this.

No it’s not just a tree. It’s a beautiful piece of nature that was highly admired across the world. And they knew that.

Wankers. Hope they go to prison. Most people are disgusted by their actions, and I imagine other inmates will think they are weird too.

The tree was growing by Hadrian's Wall, which was built by the Romans in case you didn't know, and when they felled the tree, they also damaged Hadrian's Wall, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, in case you didn't know that either.

I was reading they were thrilled to be getting all of the attention when the story broke. It's like people who see serial killer fame and really fixate on beating a number to become famous - very weird. I really hope they are fully ashamed now the public know who they are and aren't still getting some sick thrill from being in the news.

Also to add they had experience of tree surgery apparently - I hope they are never allowed to work in that sphere again.

I'd genuinely argue the 'just a tree' brought more benefit to the world than either of the defendents (or even both of them put together).