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 shocking. I can't get my head round why on earth someone would do such a thing.

And what the hell is wrong with the 8% of people voting who think the OP is being unreasonable to be upset 😳

I do however hope that some "good" might come out of this awful bit of vandalism and lead to a wider discussion on of protection trees and why we have allowed a fucking railway to be built through ancient woodland.

Well said @Alexandra2001 - I agree

Capability Brown moved really quite mature trees in his landscaping so maybe someone will donate a tree to be planted in the space.

Such a mindless act - a metaphor for so many things going on in this country of ours.

They should give the felled wood to local craftspeople to make small sellable objects to raise money for tree planting across the country - suitable NT land for starters. Maybe the most hated 16 year old in the country could be a Johnny Appleseed for the rest of his days, planting new ones everywhere he goes.

RIP beautiful old tree.

There are some heartless tossers .

Actually, the reaction to this has heartened me, I'm obsessed with trees and it's nice, if that's the word, to see how much the tree meant to so many people

The Torygraph is reporting that the police have arrested a 16 year ol boy in connection with this!

Just above your post.

The 8 percent will have a strong overlap with "nature is dirty and I do not like leaves on my plastic grass".

Not sure trying to extract the root system of a 400 year old tree in order to plant on the same spot will be feasible. Those roots have miraculously kept that tree standing, against the odds, for 400 years. There's no guarantee a replacement will last, I gather it's very windy there. If there is any way to allow the tree to grow again in some form from what's left of the trunk, through training new growth, then I think that's the best option. It will not be anything like the original though.

You've heard of cross posting before I assume?

HS2 and the destruction of ancient woodlands is something that I also get upset over

Aww it was so beautiful as well

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the felling of one of the UK's most well-known trees.

Just seen this.

I know. The human race mystifies me sometimes.

@SinnerBoy I think we can all agree that this particular tree wasn't invading anything.
As for other sycamore, given the prevalence of diseases amongst many of our native trees, we may soon be grateful for its presence rather than the contrary.

More than that.. how would he feel if something was chopped off that belongs to him….
That’s if it’s a male and even then his human rights would be respected and protected.

Honestly. I am so upset it . 😢😢😢😢

@AtlasPine I too think that given how beautiful and iconic this tree is - there will be someone who could donate a reasonably mature tree to replace it. It would be pretty to think so. If they can crane mature trees into the Chelsea Flower Show - I am sure they could do it here. Of course not as big - but not a sapling IYSWIM.

I am not versed in tree maintenance but I am sure those who are could work this out.

But stage 2 I guess - 1st work out what has happened.

Fucking hell.

Alexandra2001 · Today 16:59

I do however hope that some "good" might come out of this awful bit of vandalism and lead to a wider discussion on of protection trees and why we have allowed a fucking railway to be built through ancient woodland.

We also see many examples of private people destroying trees and getting off lightly. All new housing developments seem to get away with destroying mature trees for no other reason that they want to put advertising hoardings up.

H2S and numerous road developments destroy trees and are required to replace them, but the ones they plant die off. Saplings need several years of management, such as anti rabbit / deer protective wrap, they need to have the grass strimmed away and above all, they need water. Sadly, once they're in, the builder walk away and claim that their consciences are clear.

Like PP said, they need to first extract the stump and the 400 years worth of roots beneath the ground and around the wall if they were going to plant another one on top surely?

Yes, that's why I mentioned it, as people tend to read after they post not go back to the post above to read. It's an attempt to be helpful, which you may have heard of 😉.

Felt way more sarcastic than helpful considering I've since commented on the news article.

What a horrible, horrible cunt that teenage boy must be. People who seek to destroy things simply to hurt others are absolute scum.

Hang fire, he's someone who has been arrested but so far we have no idea if he's actually done it! No way could a 16 year old have done this all by themself.

Not the roots no. But yes the stump, that’s easy enough to do with a stump grinder.

Really sad about it. Never got to see it but had hoped to one day. A relatives ashes are scattered up there. Actually feels like such a psychopathic thing to do.