Page 15 | Sycamore Gap - tree has been felled!

NepheliLoux · 2023-09-28T09:51:27+00:00

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.

MissMillyFluff · 28/09/2023 17:29

Absolutely sick to the pit of my stomach hearing this news. Nothing they do to the perpetrator will bring it back, but he certainly won't be popular. I live in the North East of England and was planning to go walking there this summer, but found myself on crutches so was unable. Now, while I'll be able to go on the beautiful walk there, 300 years of history has been wiped out.

DisquietintheRanks · 28/09/2023 17:29

Janieforever · 28/09/2023 17:25

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

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But that would kill the tree which, right now, is very much alive. Why on earth would you want to do that?

mummymeister · 28/09/2023 17:32

A 16 year old boy who owns a chainsaw and has a chainsaw licence? i dont think so. this has been chainsawed and it would have surely taken more than one person to carry it there and then to use it at night?

Ghostytoasty · 28/09/2023 17:32

SinnerBoy · 28/09/2023 16:59

Ghostytoasty · Today 15:53

Sycamore is a non-native species but it is not considered invasive.

Most people who are in the field think so. I have an interest, because my dad has been part of a conservation group, for over 30 years; they plant native British species in his and surrounding villages. He's a botanist and a retired agronomist / horticulturalist.

If they find sycamore (and certain other foreign species) saplings, they get rid of them, but wouldn't do so with mature trees. They did have a rhododendron infestation and they destroyed them.

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/sycamore/

The seed is extremely fertile, so sycamore has spread quickly across the UK and colonised many woodlands to the detriment of native species.

http://www.mikepalmer.co.uk/woodyplantecology/sycamore/britain.htm#:~:text=Sycamore%20invades%20different%20types%20of,despite%20a%20regular%20seed%20production.

Sycamore invades different types of woodlands in the British Isles including birch, ash, alder and oak woods and many disturbed sites. However, the speed of invasion is usually slow because the conditions suitable for sycamore regeneration only occur at irregular intervals despite a regular seed production.

https://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/tree-identification/sycamore/

The sycamore is fast growing tree and regarded by some as a ‘weed’. It is not a native tree, it is native to central, eastern and southern Europe.

. Its heavy leaf fall can mean that the ground flora underneath the tree is limited. However, on the plus side, it offers a food source and shelter for wildlife (for example, aphids tap into the sugar rich leaves and that leave behind their sticky honeydew). The aphids are a food source for ladybirds and birds.

It’s great you have an interest and that your dad does so much to help out, but I have worked in this field for many years. I trained and I deal with the environment from a conservation perspective every day. I have supported many habitats and species.
And I can tell you many colleagues don’t see it as invasive. Non-native yes, invasive no. It is invasive in many areas but it doesn’t tend to be here due to our woodland types. Of course sycamore is not as important as native species but it has many benefits to wildlife and as this tree was an ancient tree, as I have said time and time again, it’s benefits will have increased. Look at how it supports wildlife. Not all interlopers are as problematic as others. And if you look closely, you will probably find lots of species you love are actually not as native as you think.

Janieforever · 28/09/2023 17:34

CatamaranViper · 28/09/2023 17:25

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.

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As much as I agree some of these posts are going too far, saying the boy should be mutilated. Calling him a cunt , people stating they are sitting weeping, distressed etc the truth is a 16 year old lad could do this alone.

the fact he had access to a chain saw indicates he lives and grew up in an environment where tree surgery is done. Maybe helped a dad or brother. The teenage lads on the farms near me could do this easily . My tree surgeons son who works with his dad during school hols could do it. Christ. I’m a middle aged woman and I could have done it as we’ve taken a few trees down in our garden ourselves

so yes absolutely a 16 year old could do this. Not a 16 year old who grew up in a city and knew nothing about chain saws or tree surgery, but any 16 year old who grew up round it could.

Hibiscrubbed · 28/09/2023 17:34

Why are people so doubtful a 16 year old could use a chainsaw?

Janieforever · 28/09/2023 17:35

mummymeister · 28/09/2023 17:32

A 16 year old boy who owns a chainsaw and has a chainsaw licence? i dont think so. this has been chainsawed and it would have surely taken more than one person to carry it there and then to use it at night?

No, not at all.

SinnerBoy · 28/09/2023 17:35

I did wonder if you might be in a related field, Ghosty! Like many subjects, there are a range of opinions....

Nolongera · 28/09/2023 17:36

mummymeister · 28/09/2023 17:32

A 16 year old boy who owns a chainsaw and has a chainsaw licence? i dont think so. this has been chainsawed and it would have surely taken more than one person to carry it there and then to use it at night?

Depending on who you believe, the road is between 300 yards to a mie from the road, you could easily carry a chaisaw that disrptance, and you don't need a licence to own or operate a chainsaw.

Janieforever · 28/09/2023 17:37

mummymeister · 28/09/2023 17:32

A 16 year old boy who owns a chainsaw and has a chainsaw licence? i dont think so. this has been chainsawed and it would have surely taken more than one person to carry it there and then to use it at night?

You don’t need a licence to have a chainsaw in a domestic setting; we’ve two.

SinnerBoy · 28/09/2023 17:38

mummymeister · Today 17:32

A 16 year old boy who owns a chainsaw and has a chainsaw licence?

You don't need a licence for a chainsaw. It's a rural area, he'll have easy access to one - I used to help my dad cut wood for fuel and used one from the age of 13. My 10 year old daughter has used my portable electric one, she loves it - she was embarrassed when some school mates saw her with me, but found it's give her bragging rights....

SherbetLemonn · 28/09/2023 17:39

Hibiscrubbed · 28/09/2023 17:34

Why are people so doubtful a 16 year old could use a chainsaw?

I was just wondering this. Very much not out of the realms of reasonable possibility.

BasiliskStare · 28/09/2023 17:40

@CatamaranViper - and @Janieforever & @AtlasPine I did say I or implied I was not a tree expert. I suspect it will be very very hard work. But there are those who have estates or arboretums and I wonder if someone could donate a mature tree. . I am not saying for a moment it will not be hard work but would it not be nice if someone had a mature sycamore which they could donate. Of course you are right - digging out the roots etc - so hard. A bit early for that but I would like to think someone could donate more than a sapling given time and tree experts opinions. But this will take time and research

I bought my DS a pair of cufflinks which are made of wood from HMS Victory when it was refurbished , It would be nice to think the NT could store this wood & either give it to people who work in wood or make things out of it to sell for the NT or charities.

I am not going to comment on anyone until it's have been been proven who did this - but for the love of Betsy - why would someone do this ? I live in an urban area but we do have so some old trees in parks etc. And lovely they are.

borage13 · 28/09/2023 17:41

We were there in July for the first time. What an absolutely senseless act. Bastards.

User19537876 · 28/09/2023 17:41

We have a chainsaw and no licence, maybe that is something professionals have.

Janieforever · 28/09/2023 17:43

SherbetLemonn · 28/09/2023 17:39

I was just wondering this. Very much not out of the realms of reasonable possibility.

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I think it’s maybe folks who don’t live semi rurally and don’t know chains saws are very common, what they weigh or how to use them.

its hugely possible a 16 year old lad could do this alone. Nicked his dads chain saw and carried it up there snd did it.

for folks info, a chainsaw to do this likely weighs max 5kg. More for battery or petrol depending on type, but unless a disability , most folks could carry that a mile.

User19537876 · 28/09/2023 17:43

Many people use them so maybe the child just got it out of the garage at his home

User19537876 · 28/09/2023 17:45

We don't live rurally but have a very large garden, so use one, so they may live in a town but would then have to get there

Ghostytoasty · 28/09/2023 17:47

SinnerBoy · 28/09/2023 17:35

I did wonder if you might be in a related field, Ghosty! Like many subjects, there are a range of opinions....

True and it’s such an emotive field! I guess because it’s changing all the time and we’re learning all the time

Newtrix · 28/09/2023 17:47

Missingmyusername · 28/09/2023 16:06

I couldn’t get that upset over a tree. Of all the horrendous, sickeningly vile things that happen each second of the day, caused mostly by humans I may add! this would be close to the bottom of my list to be honest.

Seems like you're missing more than a user name... compassion? A soul? General decency?

RosaGallica · 28/09/2023 17:49

Not only was it a famous landmark etc etc etc, it was a living thing that had stood there for a lot longer than any of us live, and would have gone on to stand there for a lot longer than any of us living yet. What the hell is wrong with this culture and its (male) kids?

ThePoshUns · 28/09/2023 17:50

Appalling. This has finished me off today with all the other bad news out there. What is wrong with people?

RosaGallica · 28/09/2023 17:50

He would have done it for kicks.

justinhawkinsnavalfluff · 28/09/2023 17:50

Having walked the very hilly route to this tree about 5 weeks ago I do not believe any 16yr old managed to do this alone. What stupid mindless vandalism!

Missingpresumedhidden · 28/09/2023 17:51

BasiliskStare · 28/09/2023 17:18

@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.

There are roads to Chelsea - the sycamore was some distance from the nearest road. The tree stood about a 20 minute walk from the car park along a dirt track that is steep and narrow in places - it's not a case of rocking up with a crane and popping a new one in. I would think the only way to a get a large replacement in would be by military helicopter. It was the only the thrive in the area so it wouldn't be as simple as planting a new one and it growing - if that was the case the area would be covered in self seeded trees from the original.

North Northumberland is covered in non native trees, the forestry commission planted 10s of 1000s of them. If someone wanted to remove non native species they had plenty to choose from - there are projects to return some areas to their native state so they could have volunteered for a project doing good rather than hacking down an iconic tree that had survived for hundreds of years against the odds.