Sycamore Gap

Yes, sycamores are 'weeds' and aren't actually native trees but were probably brought by the Romans. But it was still an act of sheer vandalism.

One person couldn't manage it alone, surely!

We're losing enough trees through disease without felling healthy ones.

This is just dreadful, vandalism.

I wondered if the Plymouth City Council leader Richard Bingley had been at it again - that vandal who ordered the felling of all the old trees in Plymouth Armada Way not long ago.

I hope they catch whoever did this.

I know there are terrible things happening in the UK but this has incensed me. I hope he get locked up if he’s done this. Absolutely sickening and just pure vandalism.

What is wrong with some parents? 16-year-old suspected of cutting down the sycamore, 17- and 13-year-olds suspected of arson in Ayr, children starting school without being toilet-trained and violence in schools from Primary 1 upwards. How are “normal” children supposed to cope?

It was a very professional job for a 16 year old. Nice clean cut, didn't fall on him... I suspect that he wasn't alone when it was done.

I cannot imagine why anyone should do such a senseless thing.

However, sycamores are one of the weeds of the tree world and very fast growing. I'm sure it will be replaced.

nanasam

Just heard they've arrested a 16 yo boy for cutting it down

A 16yo surely wouldn’t be acting alone? Presumably an electric saw would have had to be taken to the site in some form of transport - unless they were also underage driving

A 16y old boy with a chain saw? Ye gods.
A 17y old boy on a bus in Camden yesterday with a bunch of roses and a machete?
What goes through their minds? I despair too.

I would have thought that it would have needed at least two people to fell such a mature tree as that, and at the very least someone who knows how to cut down trees without injuring themselves (unfortunately, in this instance).

16 year old boy? He'll just be given a slap on the wrists, proverbially speaking.

Just heard they've arrested a 16 yo boy for cutting it down

Just seen this on the BBC news website and have tears in my eyes. Like others, I despair at the mind-set of whoever did this.

Somebody told me that local farmers were getting fed up of people leaving gates open and leaving litter everywhere.

It's utterly heartbreaking, isn't it. National Trust have put out a statement. I despair, I absolutely despair of what is in the head of people who would carry out something like this.

Unbelievable

I was totally gobsmacked when I saw this, if and when these criminals are caught I hope they get the proverbial book thrown at them 🤬🤬🤬

Wanton destruction of a 300 year old tree. Just beggars belief doesn’t it? Police think it’s professionals who did it.

I despair. What on earth is wrong with these mindless morons? I am incensed by this mindless and wanton act of vandalism. Not sure why the police need to decide if a crime has been committed - of course it has.
I really hope they pursue this and catch the low life that has done this, and do not just give them the proverbial “slap on the wrist” when they do find them.
It was obviously done with malicious intent. Despicable.

But why? What was the point? What a vindictive, horrible thing to do. The police are investigating to see whether a 'crime has been committed'. I hope they determine that a crime was indeed committed and that they catch the b******s that did it.

Words to describe how I feel are beyond me. I live in this part of the country and know how proud we are of our heritage. I don't suppose it will be high on the list of investigations for the police but the locals will find out who did it.

I’ve jut read this - sickening and heartbreaking. What is the world coming to?

This was highly organised. But these people will be caught. My daughter, who never phoned me, phoned me to tell me what had happened. Has it been done be people that have a grudge against the National Trust?

So sad about this. I really do not understand how someone could even think to do this, let along carry out the act I sincerely hope they catch the person/s responsible and they get sentenced to years of voluntary service with the woodland trusts or equivalent.

I cannot imagine the mindset that thinks ‘I know what, I’ll go out and chop down an old tree. That’ll be fun.’

How very sad. I hope they catch the half-wit who thought this was funny and put him away.

I spent my childhood less than mile from Hadrians Wall, it is beyond belief.