Sycamore Gap - tree has been felled!

[NepheliLoux]

Looks like someone has deliberately felled the famous tree in Sycamore Gap. I can’t believe anyone would do such a thing. I don’t normally get emotional but this has really upset me. It’s absolutely irreplaceable.

This is exactly what I said!

As a counter to the sadness the shitbrain who's done this has caused, coppicing generally increases the lifespan of a tree. Sycamores top out at about 400 years and some estimates put it close to this.

Live long beautiful tree!

FFS, the Bart Simpson thing was a joke! I was referencing the fact that an angry mob descends on Bart when they find out it was him, which seems cartoonish, but now appears to be something that could happen in real life. People are already talking about vigiliante justice on social media.

This is so sad. There’s some real tossers in this world ( and on this thread). ☹️

It was a beautiful old tree and a very popular landmark. If you 'don't get' why people would be bothered by the completely unnecessary destruction of a popular landmark, then you're clearly either not quite human or a bit dim.

Such needless vandalism. It's really upsetting.

Reporting that a 16 year old has been arrested in connection with it

Ghostytoasty · Today 14:24

It IS irreplaceable.

It is an irreplaceable icon, I agree.

You cannot replicate the ecosystem that an ancient tree is. A new tree will not have the same benefits. The new tree that grows will not provide the same habitat and the same important effects on the environment.

I have to say that I do not condone what was done at all.

But, a sycamore is an invasive species, which does not support the environment in the same way as native trees. Oaks, for example, support at least 200 types of insects and invertebrates, they encourages numerous useful fungi and provide food for all kinds of animals, such as squirrels and deer.

An oak is probably not suitable in the area, but an upland tree, such as a mountain ash may be, if they are going to replace it.

Hopefully a 16yo wasn't out at night with a chainsaw.

Gutted! 😪

I’d be surprised if it was a 16 year old kid. Certainly not alone anyway.

Looks like they might have been.

Sycamore Gap: Boy, 16, arrested after Hadrian's Wall tree felled https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-66952980

Where's this being reported?

Sycamore is a non-native species but it is not considered invasive. And it has benefits to British nature. it is naturalised and due to its growth type and requirement is not invasive. Ancient trees are few and far between, this tree would have had benefits in its previous state.

I understood what you meant and it looks like you may have been closer to the truth than originally thought as a teen has been arrested!

@CatamaranViper Sky news

I've just seen! How on earth could a 16 year old take up the equipment needed to fell a tree that big at night and with such a well executed cut?

But, a sycamore is an invasive species, which does not support the environment in the same way as native trees.

I understand your point re sycamore in general - in many places it's essentially a big weed! But a tree of that age and size surely had an ecosystem. And a lot of what made it iconic was the fact it had survived in that spot, with no other trees (native or otherwise) nearby.

This has to have been planned and someone with a motive unless mentally unwell in some way.

I dont think its possible to drive there so someone would have had to park and walk the approx 20 minutes to get there. And carry the chain saw- looking at the size of the tree I would have thought that a smaller chain saw would not do it so it would be a larger chainsaw so the person had the means - they cannot be rented out afaik.

Also, it could have been dark also so they would have needed lights to get there and do the cutting with the chainsaw.

Really, despicable act.

My first thought, to be thankful my DS who has recently moved to Northumberland, had walked along Hadrian's wall to see it standing, My second thought, there is a nutter with a chainsaw at large. My third thought, remembering that sycamores are non-native species was that a 'British trees are best' nutter had taken action against an immigrant tree.

How would a 16 year old get all that way with a chainsaw at night, they would have to drive some of the way surely.

Oh my god.

16 years old.

You do know a lot of kids in rural areas learn to drive long before it’s legal?

Oh was it someone local, not from a town

Just heard on the radio they have arrested a 16 year old boy 🤦‍♀️