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.

I agree stonethecrone. Or in my area of south London, the anglers who think it’s ok to leave their tins of spam on the pavement, the punters who chuck their plastic on the floor for it to end up in the river, the people who fly tip on parkland, the list goes on, it’s so vexing.

He’s unlikely to have £20,000 to pay any fine, but let’s hope his parents do.

I never thought it was possible to feel grief over the loss of a tree, but this has truly got to me today. During covid we were there first thing on a beautiful sunny morning and my husband got a fabulous photo of the children underneath. It was just the four of us and so peaceful. The picture takes pride of place in my home.
A piece of our north east identity selfishly destroyed.

Have you seen Google Maps have renamed it Sycamore Stump already?

Too soon Goog.

Not necessarily. You just cut a wedge out in the direction you wish it to fall. Then cut it from the other side. I very much doubt anyone went up there with that equipment. Easily down without. Very easily. This wasn’t a professional.

What's more important? A tree or a kid? I know the majority of you think a tree and that is depressing.

Plenty of people do get it though.

What do you mean?

It should grow back- felling a sycamore won't get rid of it.
So sad that someone took it upon themselves to do this. Every tree is special and should be cherished.

That's incorrect. It was hundreds of years old.

There was one planted next to it years ago but this isn't that. This is the original tree.

That’s simply not true. People are allowed to be upset by mindless destruction though.

@Janieforever do a lot of large tree felling do you? Because you've just described the process of felling a small, symmetrical tree, not a large one with an irregular shape. Now maybe this tree had a convenient lean and maybe whoever felled it wasn't that bothered about safety or maybe they counted on a steady wind to take it over away from them but generally no, that's not how it's done.

Missingmyusername

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.

Wow, I so disagree. What this young man did is devoid of any human decency. He must have been so full of rage or feeling so dissociated from life and his own humanity to go through the effort of killing an old and precious tree, just for his own gratification or release. The news this week have been harrowing, and this man who needlessly killed an ancient living tree has some things in common with that sick zoologist in Australia and the 17 year old man who stabbed an innocent young girl. These men, they do this because they can and they want to. They have NO respect for life, no respect for others, zero empathy and ultimately they must be utterly devoid of self respect too. These people disgust and appall me.

Both are important in different ways. It’s not either/or.

What are you on about?

People have posted a 1989 article showing the tree was mature and well over 30ft tall over 30 years ago, no way is it only 60. 400 years is pushing it but it's generally accepted to be from the early 19th century so circa 200.

Did someone fell Google too?

What’s depressing is knowing we live among people who don’t have the imagination to understand it’s possible to be upset about different things in different ways at the same time.

Shame it didn't fall on the twat that did it.

What a waste. :(

id guess developers ?

It was a daft and destructive thing to do, but the only reason this tree was 'iconic' was a combo of a movie and some selfie opportunities. It wasn't of any special worth environmentally. I hope there is some thoughtful replanting and a constructive community service order for the lad.

Yeah, I wonder what arsehole suggested that to them. I submitted a suggested edit to restore the title.

You'd be wrong - no one is developing anything up there.

Right next to Hadrian's wall on national trust land? Don't be daft.

or they are long term looking at developing the area and knew the tree would be an pickle, so here and now dispatch tree