Why ? One of the UK’s most famous trees, made famous by the movie Robin Hood, has been deliberately felled in an act of vandalism, much to the despair of many fans of the majestic, century-old tree.
Isolated at the foot of two hills in a picturesque landscape, Sycamore Gap is located near Hadrian’s Wall, built in Roman times to prevent barbarian invasion, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2016, it was voted “Tree of the Year.”
Photo by Agence France-Presse
In the movie Robin Hood, released in 1991, saw Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman walking past this magnificent tree, which was a delight to hikers in northeastern England. It was one of the most photographed trees in the UK.
But on Thursday morning, passers-by discovered her bare torso. The rest of the tree lies on Hadrian’s Wall.
The national park director quickly announced that he had been “intentionally shot.”
Photo by Agence France-Presse
Northumbria Police, which opened an investigation, announced the arrest of a 16-year-old boy on Thursday afternoon. “The damage to the tree is the result of a deliberate act of vandalism,” she said in a statement.
The teenager is in police custody. “He is assisting officers with their investigations,” police said.
“Heartbreaking”
“Today’s events have caused shock, sadness and anger,” Police Chief Kevin Waring said.
Many local residents visited the site, as if in tribute to Sycamore Gap. Flowers were also placed near the trunk, in front of the security cordon set up by the police.
“I feel a real sense of loss,” Tony Gates, director of the Northumberland National Park Authority and director of the national park, told AFP.
He added: “People cried today.” “We have been inundated with messages on social media, and on our website, from people who are sincerely affected by this loss.”
The National Heritage Conservation Organization said on X (formerly Twitter) that it was “shocked and very sad.” “We know how much this tree is loved locally and nationally and by everyone who has seen it.”
Photo by Agence France-Presse
National Trust director Andrew Budd added that the tree had been “an important and iconic feature of the landscape for almost 200 years”.
Many people, including members of hiking groups, shared their dread and happy memories near the tree, at the site and on social media.
“It is a shame that someone would come and ruin this beautiful corner of nature,” Ryan Notman, a 40-year-old technician, told AFP.
One Facebook user said: “At the beginning of the year, I was sitting at the top of the hill while my husband and son were climbing the wall next to the tree.”
A man described proposing to his wife at the foot of Sycamore Gap. According to Tony Gates, some have scattered the ashes of their deceased loved ones here.
Local MP Mary Foy denounced the “stupid” and “heartbreaking” act of vandalism at an iconic place in north-east England.
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