Sycamore Gap

[Sir Tigger KC]

We're being led to believe that a 16 year old went out in the dead of night, to the middle of nowhere and under the cover of a big storm cut down a big 300 year old tree for a laugh.   

Although apparently a 60 year old man has also been arrested now, and a farm near Hexham has been searched by Northumbria's finest.  Special Branch? 

Joking apart, I wonder what the real reason that tree was cut down and who dunnit?    Looking at the pictures, whoever cut down that tree knew what they were doing and it looks like a professional hit! 

I've seen suggestions that there have been planning applications for windfarms in the area, so maybe that tree was in the way?  I'd imagine that the gap would be handy spot for an access road to get through Hadrian's Wall? 

Time will tell and the truth will come out!   

[Sir Tigger KC]

Here's a comment I've lifted from an article on the UnHerd website and as well as the author commenting on the professional cut, he also notes that as the person arrested is 16, he is entitled to anonymity. 

Interesting. What's the betting that they don't name the 60 year old either?   

I've had a close look at images of the stump. The notch, back cut and hinge are perfect. Also the chainsaw used had a bar length longer than the diameter of the tree where the cut was made. This tree was downed by a person who knew what he was doing. I would be interested to know which way the wind was blowing on the night in question. The fact that the lad who is suspect is 16yrs old and therefore has a right to anonymity is a red flag for me.

Richard Huw Morris. Unherd.com 29/09/23

[dave the builder]

There's 3 conifers about 50 foot high, 2 gardens away from me that need a similar trim
if anyone has the lads mobile number ?

[Raeturbo]

Definitely not done by a 16 year old on his own. Obviously someone wanted it gone

[Andy B]

There's 3 conifers about 50 foot high, 2 gardens away from me that need a similar trim
if anyone has the lads mobile number ?

and if he could then cut down the sycamore that is my daughter's neighbour's garden .... its roots are lifting their drive & its branches are now brushing her house. 

[Sir Tigger KC]

There's 3 conifers about 50 foot high, 2 gardens away from me that need a similar trim
if anyone has the lads mobile number ?

and if he could then cut down the sycamore that is my daughter's neighbour's garden .... its roots are lifting their drive & its branches are now brushing her house. 

Another comment on the Unherd article noted that 300 years ago the celebrity gardener Capability Brown used to successfully transplant mature trees, so maybe she should offer it to the National Trust! 

[Sir Tigger KC]

Talking of the National Trust, maybe they had it cut down due to it's age and it's obvious links to slavery and colonialism. 

[Keith ABS]

 I have heard through a work collegues network that it was because of the amount of traffic caused in the local area by people wanting to stop and take pictures. Been one or two locals who have voiced there anger about it stating it was ruining the area

[Varche]

It was a seriously sad bastard that did that. Most skilled chain  sawers have the utmost respect for trees . That was an act of wanton vandalism and two fingers to folk who enjoyed the tree. I hope they rot in jail

[Raeturbo]

I have heard through a work collegues network that it was because of the amount of traffic caused in the local area by people wanting to stop and take pictures. Been one or two locals who have voiced there anger about it stating it was ruining the area

Although I agree with you on it could be a nuisance perhaps 👍  there are few (national treasures) if you will, such as this, and for some idiot to just chop this tree down which has lived for such a long time deserves a harsh sentence IMO, slowly but surely our national heritage is getting Reamed.

[Varche]

I have heard through a work collegues network that it was because of the amount of traffic caused in the local area by people wanting to stop and take pictures. Been one or two locals who have voiced there anger about it stating it was ruining the area

Tough. They seriously need to get a life. ( preferably in jail). Tourism brings in money and better infrastructure.

[Doctor Gollum]

Didn't it feature in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves in the '90s

[Doctor Gollum]

I have heard through a work collegues network that it was because of the amount of traffic caused in the local area by people wanting to stop and take pictures. Been one or two locals who have voiced there anger about it stating it was ruining the area

Tough. They seriously need to get a life. ( preferably in jail). Tourism brings in money and better infrastructure.

Would you be quite so unsympathetic if they were parking on/blocking access to your property and traipsing across your land to see it , with the accompanying wild camping and littering that seems to follow...

Chopping the tree down is no different to enforcing double yellow lines along the entire NC500.

Yes, well managed tourism brings visitors and revenue but you can also argue that poorly managed tourism destroys local communities for the people living there... think the smaller Cotswold villages, or the cottages at Burling Gap.

[STEMO]

There's 3 conifers about 50 foot high, 2 gardens away from me that need a similar trim
if anyone has the lads mobile number ?

and if he could then cut down the sycamore that is my daughter's neighbour's garden .... its roots are lifting their drive & its branches are now brushing her house. 

Can't you ask it to stop brushing the house and do the drive instead? 

[Sir Tigger KC]

According to the Guardian, someone went and planted a sapling and the National Trust went and dug it up. 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/01/sapling-planted-at-sycamore-gap-removed-by-national-trust

Of course they can't just leave it there. Millions of pounds will have to be spent on experts and consultants before they decide what to do.