Sycamore Gap: Who Felled Robin Hood's Tree?

Sycamore Gap: Who Felled Robin Hood's Tree?
on the 28th of September 2023 the most photographed tree in Britain was felled illegally prompting widespread condemnation, grief and headline news.
Having filmed Hadrian's Wall for 3 videos I am familiar with the Sycamore tree and remember it from childhood visit, additionally in a previous life I was also a tree feller allowing me to speculate on this very peculiar crime.
However the loss raises larger issues about Britain's relationship with trees and their spiritual and cultural importance.
WARNING: any speculation is not an accusation as to the culprit[s] !
Music, courtesy of CO.AG Music /KZbin.com
#sycamoregap

[@greenspiritarts]

It was not just the lone tree itself that was impacted, but the location too that helped generate the feeling of awe, reverence and beauty. The location with the tree in the center of the gap had symmetry, elegance and because it was so approachable, could be photographed and enjoyed in multiple seasons as a thing of beauty. The combination of strength and vulnerability…the idea of endurance all by itself in the elements yet sheltered and embraced by the land itself all worked together to stir strong emotional responses in anyone who viewed images of the tree or who visited the tree in-person. None of the other large and impressive trees mentioned in this video have locations that could match. While the act of felling the tree does indeed appear to be skillfully done, the motive could possibly be tangentially personal; if a marriage that had been started there in an engagement, or performed at the tree itself had now come to a bitter end, the felling of the tree could be a personal act of grievance, for example. I hope we do find out someday why this sad act was committed. One final point, humans worshipping AT the site of special trees is not the same as the worshipping OF a sacred tree. Most often, the tree is a living, symbolic presence for all of Nature in general, though there are exceptions. I’m recalling that the famous Banyan Tree in Lahaina, Maui also suffered a near-fatal event having endured the fire there. And the tree has sprouted new green leaves recently. It is this regenerative quality that trees have that sends a particular message of hope and renewal to humans. The story of this tree is not over.

[@julesdingle]

thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comment

[@reinadegrillos]

In Catalonia we have a very important tree: el "Pi de les tres branques", (the pine tree of the three branches) that also suffered a vandalic act and was torn down many years ago. We never knew who did it. They restored it and it is still protected by an iron ring to prevent it from falling. It seems that some people hate a symbol and are cowardly enough to attack trees instead of attacking people and being probably hurt by them. It's disgusting. I hope we all know who did this and why. My sympathies to all British people.

[@bradwhite5884]

Some people don't appreciate trees or plants like most tbh, always shove it to calling us tree huggers or such for caring about such, so yeah

[@TheDisruptiveYouTuber]

What you say about humans having a deep rooted connectin to nature and specifically trees is bang on and what I've noticed over the last week is that people from more populated areas of the UK (especially London) seem to be more likely to joke about the sycamore tree. Up here in Northumberland, I think people generally are more connected with nature at that tree a beloved symbol of that connection, a mascot. I live on the wall and while I've always been really fond of the tree and always thought of sycamore gap as a really special place, I'm staggered at how this event has affected so many people and how far away some of them are. Maybe I've always taken this tree for granted, not realising just how many other people also have an emotional connection to it. It bothers me just how much this incident has bothered me. over a week later and I'm still reeling about it. I feel like I've losta loved one.

[@banedon8087]

I live on the south coast and I can assure you that I'm not laughing about this. I'd love to see whoever did it being apprehended, shamed for thier actions and sent to prison for a long spell.

[@TheDisruptiveYouTuber]

@@banedon8087 KZbin won't allow me to describe what I'd like to happen to him but let's just say the vikings would be proud of it

[@banedon8087]

@@TheDisruptiveKZbinr Something to do with Blood Eagles?

[@jackking5567]

I'm tree qualified, live in Northumberland and a few things strike me about this felling.. Why was there no protection in the form of hidden stainless steel bars in the bark? It's easily done and would have given some security to what was a remote and vulnerable tree. That cut and the bar length - you're spot on with that observation. Few people have saws that size and they're a rarer thing. Given the saw was a rarer type, parts used for maintaining it would come from only a few sources and I believe that route would be a good direction for an investigation to head. The actual cut? Yes - difficult in daylight to do a straight cut like that. Now factor in not just the wind and darkness but also the need to carry a larger saw a considerable distance to follow through with that cut. Whoever did it certainly has stamina and fitness on their side. Factor in a tree working background and again it narrows down the group who could do the act. Weirdly, the direction of the wind and storm plus the darkness worked perfectly in the vandals favour. Part of me thinks this has been planned and waited for, for some considerable time - perhaps a year or more. I don't think this was without some serious planning and patience. This act or reaction has been brewing for a long time. A large part of me thinks this was not done by a local person. It's a well known tree world-wide and a large part of me thinks this vandal travelled a long way to do it. We've seen similar acts in Northumberland/Durham/Cumbria over the years. One particular newsworthy act was when a 'lads mag' stole a scarecrow from a village festival. They were caught because they bragged about it. (I doubt this tree vandal will brag however) My final thought is this: Another suspicion I have is it was done as a protest - much like something Just Stop Oil or other extreme groups might do. As you say though, the stump will coppice and grow new branches.

[@julesdingle]

cheers Jack

[@kathrynbeetham5308]

Just stop oil IS NOT extremist, nor would they ever do this. Away with your rediculous Daily Mail opinions.

[@NOT_SURE..]

i did think the cut was done by someone experienced , very horizontal

[@banedon8087]

@@kathrynbeetham5308 Depends on your view of extremist. They're happy to try and ruin and deface art, smash windows, and delay ambulances - so in my opinion they are extreme.

[@Stormyweld05]

​@@kathrynbeetham5308​You chose to be offended by one very small part of their comment and used that as a reason to write off an entire hypothisis? Such a typical response from an easily offended ignoramus. Clown!

[@MercuryCircuit]

We were in Northumberland for our annunal family holiday this year and visited Sycamore gap. It's so sad someone would destroy such a beautiful and Iconic tree. The menatlity of such destruction is beyond me.

[@SirManfly]

But it's inevitable ! There's a portion of society that wants to destroy everything historic and start all over and a hand full of morons that just don't care about anything !

[@MGeofire]

Acts like this are become the norm across the globe. It's as if half of humanity has transformed into a cancerous growth--destroying the entire organism. It looks from my minor outpost that the existential trajectory, upon which we travel, is nearing some sort of ultimate goal. As the Chinese saying goes, the winds of heaven have changed. I suppose that makes us all witnesses to whatever this transformation becomes. What a terrible loss this one tree represents. Thank you for your analysis--it is good and sound.

[@julesdingle]

the ultimate trolling ...which seems to be a thing

[@mikkelvik34]

Every person who feels violated, upset , angry , should plant a tree , this horrible crime should be the catalyst for lots of new trees to be planted. I hope the person or people who did this get their karma from nature itself. 😞😡

[@psy-op]

Violated ????

[@jono1457-qd9ft]

Professional tree feller, definitely. But why?

[@17losttrout]

Plant a tree, for sure, but not a sycamore. Conservation volunteers are often tasked with pulling them up, because as trees go, they are ecologically pretty useless. That said, a 300 year old one shouldn't have been cut down. We are in the time of the Orc, though.

[@luminousfractal420]

Might i suggest people collect pine seeds from the monkey puzzle trees dotted around (we have a few in cardiff thanks to lord bute), those are a protected species. You plant em and theyre staying.

[@S-T-E-V-E]

Having lived in the Countryside and having learned their peeves, I'm left with the feeling (in the absence of any evidence of motive as a protest stunt by JSO) that it was done to stop footfall to the Tree by a local who was being negatively affected by the amount of people coming ang going, a farmer who had his cattle gates left open one too many times, someone affected by the amount of vehicle traffic or as you said someone in conflict with the National Trust who can be pigheaded and unconcerned with the needs of local people!

[@WolfCat68]

This had occurred to me too, I know hikers tend to wander all over and I believe the owner of the surrounding land had put up many signs asking people to stick to the footpath

[@timflatus]

Yep, I think this was the motivation behind the Glastonbury Thorn vandalism too. Many landowners think that if they remove the object of veneration then the tourists will go away and they'll be able to get planning permission.

[@eponymousarchon7442]

I did give this some thought, but the main reason the tree was so well known in the first place was due to Hadrians Wall which is still there obviously and is the main reason for hikers going to the site. It is plausible that was the reason it was cut down but it makes it even more of an idiotic act in my opinion, the Hikers will still come to the site. It may also just be a case of petty spiteful Vandalism. Some people are wired that way.

[@S-T-E-V-E]

@@eponymousarchon7442 Yeah but Hadrian's Wall is 73 Miles long! The only reason people went to that part of it was the Tree!

[@ryanparker4996]

Its on the Hadrians wall walk mate. Its not going to stop any footfall at all.

[@gookey9924]

It was a very famous tree and some sicko must wanted the notoriety of cutting it down and bringing mass attention to their crime ,like an obbessed person murdering a celebrity. Just hope the culprit gets caught and rots .

[@KrisHughes]

I'm appalled that this tree was felled, but I'm 1,000 times more appalled by the destruction brought about by HS2 and motorway projects. It's typical of our society that it's the movie star status and selfie worthiness of this tree that has made this such a big story, and mostly kept the HS2 and motorway protestors branded a bunch of scabby hippies.

[@noelfleming3567]

Well said

[@jorybennett5932]

The Chilterns have been ravaged and ancient woodlands cut down, habitats destroyed, an ancient pear tree cut down. Even the dead have not been allowed to rest in peace. An evil plan from the beginning. Buckinghamshire will never be the same and for what? I wish Rishi had the guts to cancel the whole scheme. 😢

[@jjskn93]

Spot on

[@Ponken123]

Insightful 👍

[@lubumbashi6666]

This is nothing to do with HS2, stop polluting this with your politics

[@_supercoven_]

I’m surprised they didn’t charge the old man. Seemed like a strong motive, the estate not renewing the tenancy on his lifelong home.

[@MrBollocks10]

Hehehe. You've heard that from a reliable source? LMAO 😂😂

[@timflatus]

The Glastonbury Thorn was also vandalised. The oaks burned down because someone left a lighted candle inside them, so they were both destroyed by veneration, Gog was already dead from old age.

[@rodericde876]

Excuse my ignorance. Who is Gog.

[@timflatus]

@@rodericde876 The Oaks of Avalon, believed to be more than 2000 years old were named Gog and Magog, after a character in the Bible (believed to be Gyges of Lydia by some) via Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, where he was a giant inhabitant of Albion, thrown off a cliff during a wrestling match with Corineus (a companion of Brutus of Troy). Gogmagog was the last of the Giants found by Brutus and his men inhabiting the land of Albion.

[@stonehengemaca]

If the boy is amongst those claiming it's "just a tree", he's going to be in shock when it is valued in court.

[@oligultonn]

I would say it runs in the millions of £'s if not over £10 million. In reality it's worth is imeasurable.

[@stonehengemaca]

@@oligultonn The loss in tourism will be measured in 100s of millions.

[@ffotograffydd]

The boy had nothing to do with it, he was released without charge. Two men in their 30s are currently out on bail.

[@ffotograffydd]

@@stonehengemacaI doubt it, people liked the tree, but it was right next to a far bigger tourist attraction!

[@stonehengemaca]

@@ffotograffydd People sold millions of photos/paintings of the tree. That revenue has been denied to everyone now. I think you are also going to be shocked when a court decides the financial value of that particular tree.

[@wendychandler8304]

This week I turn 84, years full of gardening and growing trees. This episode hurts; not quite as others deliberately and needlessly felled. A 'Monkey Puzzle' tree planted by a famous plantsman was removed because it spoilt a view, in Windermere; this in spite of local outrage and attempts to prevent it. I planted thousands of mixed native trees on an area we owned, only for it to be bulldozed by its new owner - that hurt too. Thank you for your professional light shed on equipment used - good memories for me.

[@inregionecaecorum]

The view from my flat once encompassed a green with several mature trees growing. One by one the trees were cut down and finally the green was built on. I certainly miss that. Mind you I have cut down the odd tree myself, but mostly trees I had planted, which were getting overgrown.

[@CastleAdam]

The vicissitudes of life can feel almost unbearable at times. Such is terrible loss of this beautiful tree ~ one such example. What to say? What can one POSSIBLY say …

[@kimwilson3863]

One would have thought this destruction of the beautiful Sycamore Gap tree was a one off act of extreme vandalism, however last week the felling of the 1,000 year old Yew tree in Hastings is not only sad but curious occurring so soon after Sycamore Gap tree's felling, both appearing to be professionally executed. I would keep an eye on other historically important trees in case this becomes a trend. We have quite a few low lifes now intent on the destruction of our heritage and not only trees. 😢🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@charlestaylor8566]

But most lowlifes would not have access to or could use a chainsaw in such a professional way to cut down such a big tree , I hadn’t heard about the yew tree you mentioned ,I’ll have to Google it .

[@kimwilson3863]

@@charlestaylor8566 Unfortunately lowlifes come in many varieties and aren't constrained by the ability to operate machinery. We have educated lowlifes now, just look at our career politicians! I had to pick a name for them that would be acceptable on this platform, you don't want to hear what I really call them lol. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@michealhand1001]

You mean the bearded invaders?

[@kimwilson3863]

@@michealhand1001 It would be easier to distinguish them if it were not for the traitors in our midst, our own countryman with misguided ideas that virtue signaling will prevent them being targeted too. First they came.......

[@winge-dogjones2492]

@@kimwilson3863 Problem is most of the lowlifes are council and government

[@PhatChic]

i really hope they get to the bottom of this and we get answers. the tree has lived through so many things and yes it will regrow but it was something that stood for so much that is good about this land. ironic really

[@ffotograffydd]

Not that many things, it was only 150 years old. Good that the almost 2,000 year old wall wasn’t damaged though.

[@brianedwards7142]

Some people get a mean joy out of spoiling things.

[@burnthetv007]

❤️Thankyou for the video❤️This is shocking truly shocking and more important than we could know right now.

[@APCSW19]

Loved this film and its narration. Thank you. Subscribed.

[@Nu-Miss-Matic]

The Glastonbury thorn was not felled by accident, it was felled by the land owner, who is a property developer

[@verybigkittens7550]

Yes I thought that was the case.

[@Brightangel55]

🤔 You sound just like HG Tudor. Anyway, this was very well done. Thank you for highlighting the loss of this iconic living entity.

[@VMM34]

HG is a Yorkshireman, this guy has a southern twang

[@philiphall4805]

I have to disagree with you about felling a tree and the law , correct me where you think I am wrong but my wife is a qualified tree surgeon and worked for a local authority when she got too old to climb trees (23) anyhoo she says for the felling of a tree you can only get a fine and that has to be a private prosecution , the police have no powers to stop you cutting down a tree should they catch you in the act even if the tree has a tree preservation order , as she quite rightly points out once the tree has been cut down , no amount of complaining can put it back ,

[@julesdingle]

a TPO has perhaps a fine of £5k to £10k based on a formula .. I don't know what the current upper limit, but this is for where the owner or agent of the owner fells the tree. On this occasion the crime is criminal damage [to property] the same law is used for arson I think ..and includes any property..trees included.

[@JP-hr7ch]

@@julesdingle Google "176-year-old giant redwood tree", the owner was fined £100k plus £32,500 in legal costs. The contractor was also found guilty and fined.

[@philiphall4805]

@@JP-hr7ch I did that and it seems 72 trees were cut down and it mentions planning regulations not jut TPOs , those who ordered the work and those who carried it out all admitted what they had done and there was no break down of the fine , nearly a month since this tree was cut down and in the absence of anyone coming forward saying they did it the prediction my wife made of nobody ever being prosecuted is holding true

[@noelfleming3567]

A landmark enjoyed by many taken away for what .someone with a grudge says a lot for people nowadays

[@matfresco]

Well done, sir!! We both have similar sized, equally niche channels and we both tackled the same subject, albeit in very different ways. Yours was a proper success and mine was a proper failure! Yours is very interesting and your tone and thumbnail worked. Hats off to you... best of luck

[@julesdingle]

yes, I don't know how the perverse KZbin algorithm works ..and your video is very informative and you come across very well.. I'm sure there is a lot of scope for a UK legal eagle .. it took me 2 years to get the magic 1k subscribers ..and then your worth it! Is that a sauna in your garden ?

[@matfresco]

@@julesdingle not my garden. It's the local topiary yard. KZbin is a very odd place indeed. Best of luck!

[@keithagn]

I hope whoever did this for whatever reason is found, and strung up from the nearest tree.

[@gallowglass2630]

Kind of similar in away to the loss of fungi the dolphin in ireland although no foul play was suspected it still had a deep impact on irish people

[@stonehengemaca]

TalkTV there with their brand of intelligent and logical reporting.. The tree was marked for felling and was cut down in the middle of the night in a storm by mistake..!!

[@hotcoffee5542]

I hope they mill the sycamore and auction off the lumber for artists to make something that will continue through time.

[@coppershark1973]

Why is the landscape there so barren anyway? Why aren’t there more trees? What a shame.

[@julesdingle]

in a couple of words..sheep and grouse and the National Trust has a habit of preserving denuded landscapes

[@burnthetv007]

It’s part of the ‘luxury ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️invasion’ and the destruction and revision of (huwyte) British history. That cut was almost machine like clean. Absolutely no wobble/ stop/ or waver in the cut. No oil bar spray, not a lot of chip and chew spray either to note. It must be the same ‘crew’ that is destroying English tourist attractions across the lands. 18th C pubs and hotels etc.

[@pommiebears]

How did a 16 year old boy, manage that? I’m not a tree surgeon, or even an avid gardener, but I do know that it’s incredibly hard to cut a tree that clean.

[@OwbuR.N]

It was marked up 4 felling by the landownerUK with white paint around prior to the pro cleancut yobbo jobalob a dingdong merrily on highness😂

[@Gloria-ro4vn]

chainsaw

[@pricklypear7516]

A BBC article from November 1, 2023, says that there are now four men -- one 16, two in their 30's, and a 60-year old -- involved. All, I believe, have been arrested and bailed out.

[@ffotograffydd]

It wasn’t the 16 year old, two men in their 30s are currently on police bail.

[@robedwards5709]

Maybe it was the sheriff of Nottingham

[@morgidvmw0mdv]

Who ever did this I hope gets the ten years and serves every second of it. Shame on you who ever you are!!! And as for who ever murdered that 15 year old girl, I hope they get life and spend every second of what ever life is left to them in prison. When you think about it, its not only her life that's been taken but those of her children, grand children, great grandchildren, etc, etc.

[@happinesstan]

I suspect Anthony Gormley.

[@debbieking4128]

Not a pagan, but an artist and lover of beautiful scenery and nature, like many hurt by this destruction of a national treasure. A sycamore planted perfectly central in a glaciated historically important site has been ruined by madness in our society.

[@TheMadmacs]

its a sad loss, a worrying act of pointless destruction, but as you mentioned the loss of our natural forests hundreds of years ago haunts me much more, being replaced by geometric forestry trees just feels like a sick joke, it should be illegal to put a straight line of trees in a beautiful landscape and only a monster would even consider doing it. you dont have to be arty farty to think ''hey lets break up the edges so it looks natural to the landscape. also, upset to hear michael gambon died, he was good, very funny man.

[@julesdingle]

there are glorious pockets of truly wild wood especially in Scotland..but halfway up a mountainside, some on Dartmoor ... for vast you have to go to Europe's edges, the cork forest of Spain, Poland, parts of Norway. Trees are crop in places, but I think we can get rid of the sheep [and grouse] and have the mountains restored

[@TheMadmacs]

@@julesdingle yeah i never really thought of sheep etc till i met a man on karrera island, (tiny island just off oban) he pointed out that a lot of sheep''farms'' are subsidised and kinda just hobby farms for pretend farmers. ps. karrera island and gylen castle..... oh and colins chair with a view... just magical place.

[@julesdingle]

Sheep in Highland Scotland are not economical and not much of a problem [they are terrible in Wales though] .. red deer numbers, and grouse are. Encouraging to see areas fenced off for natural regeneration Do your duty..eat Bambi

[@keithagn]

If you want wild, untamed forests come to Canada my friend 😃

[@TheMadmacs]

@@keithagn yeah i watch foresty forest's channel, just jaw dropping,

[@PamelaD963]

In the bible it says when the sycamore tree is destroyed, the people have to rise up.

[@rocoe9019]

It also says , happy is the one that seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks ! Also says ... Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel ! And it also says... This is what the Lord Almighty says ... 'Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey. !

[@Steel8Tesla]

Very sad and pointless lose of history.

[@user-cl2er6zm6o]

Yes. Pagan tree worship is still a thing here in the UK. I am such a person who believes in elves, fairies moss women, fae. what ever you call them. I am from Northumberland and have been to that tree and felts it's energy. It was a tree of magic, an earth god. One of my fears is that this was an act of spite against spirituality, faith and culture. It was a living being, it's cutting was murder of someone old and wise who loves each of us

[@christianbuczko1481]

Thats got NOTHING to do with robin hood. Only some crappy film which has robin walking to nottingham from the south coast via hadrians wall, which is 150miles past nottingham.

[@ffotograffydd]

Robin Hood (if he existed) wasn’t from Nottingham either, they’ve just claimed him to attract tourists.

[@christianbuczko1481]

@@ffotograffydd theres a few theories about his origins, from what ive seen there was a few different men called robin hood after the 1st, with the name being more a title than an actual name. It also seems likely the original operated around nottingham and sherwood forest as an outlaw even if they didnt originate there as thats where the legends originate.

[@ffotograffydd]

@@christianbuczko1481 Though Sherwood Forest is now mostly in Nottinghamshire, at the time historians think Robin Hood existed it was vast and covered several counties, none of the potential candidates for Robin Hood were from Nottingham.

[@christianbuczko1481]

@@ffotograffydd i never said he was from nottingham, only the legends originate here.

[@ffotograffydd]

@@christianbuczko1481 It didn’t though, the first mention of Robin Hood is in the poem The Vision of Piers Plowman, written by William Langland, which is set in the Malvern Hills between Herefordshire and Worcestershire (where the author was born). The link to Sherwood Forest and Nottingham came later.

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

I live 3 miles from the stump. It's a bit sad it happened, but I wish it would drive people to plant some trees in their area, rather than driving them to make social media posts. You dont control other people, but you do control HOW YOU REACT to other people, and twining about it on Twitter/X, Facebook and KZbin comments isn't fixing anything! P.S. the only thing missing from your speculations is the fact that its fairly easy to access the site by quad bike. If the culprit had parked at Steel Rigg car park and walked in, they'd be taking a massive risk had they been disturbed in the act. I also think that the storm is relevant because it was a night when the police helicopter couldn't fly, and realistically it would be the only way to catch the culprit on the night if someone had actually raised the alarm. All the best :)

[@PiousMoltar]

"Weirdly on a route from Dover to Nottingham" 🤣 I guess he just got really lost

[@crazyjay6331]

Untill u talked about the spay paint I was thinking it may have been done with a two handed folding silky style saw. Although the 1m silky blades are hard to find, the 65cm blades are affordable, quiet, portable, reliable, surprisingly effective, it would get that tree down in time and would leave a clean cut like that.

[@williamcurwen7428]

Everyone is upset because we have so few large trees left in the UK. It’s felling is a metaphor of our unrelenting destruction of landscape and habitat, and it will not stop. We have almost completely lost our connection with the natural world, and senseless acts like this is proof of what is happening every day everywhere throughout the world.

[@69waveydavey]

If you know angry farmers, is the land owned or controlled by NT/EH? If the land is not owned by them and they've upset the farmer who actually owns or uses the land, which isn't hard to do. Farmers like to make a point, my thoughts anyway.

[@cairistionacollins7893]

Great video thank you for sharing it. I had wondered why it was called Robin Hoods Tree, as Robin Hood had been dead and gone for Centuries before this sycamore was even a sapling, so thank you for the clarification on that. I have not seen the film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. I cannot even imagine why anybody would cut down such a tree. I hope they are soon found!!

[@brianmacadam4793]

You're explanation of the skill involved makes sense. I would say pull the stump and plant a new sycamore, it IS sad but it's done and it's best to rebuild and start anew.

[@marimatsumoto372]

Send this criminal to plant thousands trees, rain or shine, instead of sending him to a jail.

[@mpw321]

Never been there myself, so am not aware of how far from road it is or how many routes there are to it. Could it be a disgruntled land owner fedup with increasing volumes of people traipsing over his land?

[@steveburke7675]

Has the felling appeared on tiktok yet? I like some of the comments above...find a good use for the timber...pull the stump...plant another.

[@reconteam91]

I just learned about this through this video. It's heartbreaking. I'm a fan of the Robin Hood movie from my childhood and always wanted to visit that tree. I was 16 when I watched the movie and the idiot kid who cut it was my age then. A tree that stood for 300 years, so sad.

[@user-fq5kg6gk1g]

I always wanted to go back to Hadrians Wall to see this Beautiful Tree 🌳 I saw 👀 the tree 🌳 when I was a wee lad walking Hadrians Wall with my uncle it was Beautiful 🌳❤️ when I saw 👀 the News that the Tree 🌳 had been Cut 🪓 Down it Broke my Heart!!! 💔😢 it’s a Bad Omen!!!

[@frogandspanner]

If the guilty parties are found they should be made to pay for the planting of a similar mature tree. Capability Brown managed such transplantation. It would cost a fortune for the criminals, but that is the choice they have made.

[@paultrussy4243]

Nice VT and important subject matter, but please get to grips with the sound levels - they're all over the place!

[@julesdingle]

yes, the video was done on the fly in my van on the laptop given the nature of it being 'current affairs' .. I have spent more time working on a better studio but best laid plans

[@user-po4nu4xo4m]

I do not believe a 16 year old boy would be capable of doing this alone or would have had the equipment to carry out this crime. I think someone very experienced cut this down and got a 16 year old to take the blame as you say this carries a 10 year prison sentence but not for a 16 year old boy!!!

[@ffotograffydd]

He didn’t. Two men in their 30s are currently on police bail.

[@banedon8087]

I don't have a TV license and try to stay away from the news these days, so didn't know about this. I hate it when people damage trees, let alone something as culturally relevant as this. I hope that whoever did it is brough to justice and jailed for a google long while. How long is it for defacing statues? 10 years? That should do.

[@JamesCambridge-ih4he]

I hope the individual involved receives an extremely harsh sentence, without the possibility of a early release.

[@malcolmstead272]

I suspect local farmers after the NT started charging for the car parks, which forced people to park anywhere for free, this would pee off local landowners.

[@julesdingle]

the parking is controlled by Northumbria National Parks .. including the Housesteads car park and has been that way for decades, the road for much of this section of Hadrian's Wall has double yellow lines

[@malcolmstead272]

@@julesdingle It matters not, if motorist are causing a nuisance it will pee people off, in their eyes, get rid of the tree and problem solved.

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

As someone local to the tree, I'd just like to defend the farmers who are getting all sorts of assumptions levelled at them! I don't want to name names, but the people who manage the land up there aren't some cash hungry morons, they're good people who take great pride in their role as stewards of this ancient landscape. The local area depends on tourism, and farmers here are aware of that. I assure you that they're just as gutted about this as anyone else is.

[@Sthilboy56]

Certainly a person with a lot of experience to do a cut like that

[@ewancarmichael3412]

I wonder if, as you mentioned in the video, that someone possibly had it in for The National Trust. Who would be against them and why? One group that comes to mind is the hunting fraternity who have been banned from practising their "sport" (😢) on their lands. Could this be a connection or a reason why its been felled?

[@theoneforgaveme]

Robbin hoods tree??? No! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@user-fq5kg6gk1g]

This Tree 🌳 was Beautiful 💔😭

[@cerulyse]

The problem I can see with the national trust is that they preserve the land in a weird idealistic way just like it was 200 years ago which is not exactly very natural. As climate change progresses we need to protect the soils if we lose that, then look at Iceland where they are spending millions trying to reverse desertification.

[@ffotograffydd]

The tree wasn’t even there 200 years ago.

[@stonehengemaca]

It's not a prank. A prank would be to pretend the tree had been cut down.

[@happinesstan]

12:42 that tree looks like one of the rabbits in Watership Down.

[@paulleviston]

What has happened to the stone round wall . That also has been destroyed. The wall was still standing when I did a drone flight in 2017 . And the year before, a few stones can be seen .

[@julesdingle]

I believe the falling tree caused some damage to Hadrian's Wall

[@paulleviston]

@julesdingle looks like there is no damage to the Hadrian Wall. What I am talking about was the round stone wall that has been removed by someone . Looked at a video from a year ago, and you can still see some small rock in a circle .

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

No need for weird over the top virtu comments call it what it is a act of spite plain and simple

[@philthycat1408]

This crime has to carry the most extreme sentence for all involved.

[@DungeonKeeperLondonDungeonHire]

This ancient land is so destroyed in so many ways and this is a sad example of its continuing destruction.

[@v4skunk739]

Ancient Britain had huge megalithic structures that got destroyed over the last thousand years to build castles and cities.

[@DungeonKeeperLondonDungeonHire]

@@v4skunk739 yes re-cycling is an old idea.

[@stephenhollinrake916]

The pear tree, the yew tree,, the trees that matter, now we talk about it the sycamore has gone quiet. All very odd indeed.

[@deepwood4]

Since when does Brittain care about trees? There's literally thousands of acres of barren land as far as the eye can see. Probably sick of all the pagan rituals.

[@timflatus]

Religious bigotry plays a part for sure.

[@barryloughran3632]

Been wondering. Appears one Strait Clean Cut. This surely is impossible

[@grahamprice3230]

Better if you could hear it instead of the crap music drowning it out! At the beginning.

[@robnewman6101]

A Vandalism to the poor cut tree. How very Tragic! Bad!

[@amandaoliver5047]

What would it be worth to see there faces

[@matthewcook9404]

Probably Jeremy Corbyn ?!?!

[@robertmccall346]

Yes, it is sad. Even sadder is the destruction of Trees and Wildlife in Scotland to make way for Wind Turbines which have a maximum life of 20 years and a questionable future. Tourism will steadily decline as Scotland's Natural History will be destroyed.

[@Angelaius]

We cry for one tree yet the land is barren. Maybe blame the farmers who never cared to replant trees on that hilly strip. (Or whoever owns is)

[@AndyWardle]

It’s because it’s the only tree around that makes it special

[@hereIam1965]

There's a lot of maths applied in the comments. Which is remarkable. The maths have not been quoted in reply to the trees cut down for HS2 . I'd think 1 - they would be replaced. 2 the impact of carbon etc reduced because of HS2 .

[@darthcheney7447]

Well, the tree's cut down. Count the rings to find the age.

[@user-kz3ik7pm7o]

The tree is 3 centuries old so counting the rings will take quite a while to complete.

[@zen4men]

======================= We feel connected to this tree ================================================= because we feel disconnected and betrayed by our government, and revolution is coming. /

[@user-fq5kg6gk1g]

The cutting down of this beautiful tree 🌳 is a crime against our English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Heritage

[@elennapointer701]

It isn't just the felling of the tree or the "theft of joy" - this is also a huge hit to the local economy. At a stroke every business using or promoting the tree has had its marketing rendered obsolete. A Sycamore Gap without a sycamore is just a gap, and there are plenty of more interesting spots along Hadrian's Wall than where an iconic tree no longer stands. Whoever did this took a chainsaw to much more than just the tree. Cui bono?

[@user-fq5kg6gk1g]

I recommend Sherwood Forest 🌳 in Nottingham 🏹 Robin Hood Legend Lives On!!!

[@JasonSmith-dw3vp]

Interesting comparison with symbolism, history and divisiveness

[@trickyuk386]

When will the 16 year old and the 60 year old be named and shamed??? this country is an absolute joke nowadays

[@Aubury]

Why why why ????

[@jilljones6541]

He’s probably been sent on a holiday somewhere nice knowing our Government.

[@MissEldira]

Easy. The criminal is the landlord or a local landlord upset at the traffic the tree brings! Look for traffic patterns to and from where the hikers park and the conflicts this has with neighbours. Take all friends and relatives of those included. Exclude anyone without the health and skill to do it among them, which one of them owns a saw. Check for tree dna on the saw. Put on the pressure, boom. You have the culpit!

[@chriswarburtonbrown1566]

I don't think so, almost every farmer in the area has a stake in tourism through bed & breakfast, cafes, pubs, crafts etc. There are very few who don't benefit financially in some way. A more likely motivation would be someone with a grievance with the national park or National Trust, probably from a bit further away.

[@stephenbrown9400]

Who needs 14 minutes of you tube?

[@elwolf8536]

Its all gunna be swept under the carpet

[@redjackdeer5154]

I think we need Thompson and Thompson, Tintin and Snowy. Bugger all will be done .

[@railinly610]

Only someone local would do this imo.

[@user-fq5kg6gk1g]

I Hope that The Robin Hood 🏹 Sycamore Tree 🌳 at Hadrians Wall Grows Back Soon 🔜 🌿

[@julesdingle]

the sycamore tree will throw up fresh broth in the spring and with a little pruning it will recover...eventually And yes I too visited the tree aged 8 and over the decades returned ..glad you enjoyed the video

[@hereIam1965]

The tree was probably cut down by a media companies in the knowledge that advertising revenue could be generated. It's advertising space ... The number 1 suspect

[@susanross1651]

I’m still so upset that someone destroyed this beautiful tree that was not theirs to fell. There is a very great difference between a tree that succumbs to age or extreme weather & one that is felled on purpose for no good reason & that will includes many felled for HS2. It’s also my belief in this modern world, every tree felled should be replaced by two till we have replaced all that we’ve lost.

[@user-qw6ry2pg4k]

Why is there only 1 tree on such a large piece of land..? The national trust could plant thousands of trees on the land

[@julesdingle]

sheep farming, and the National Trust has a strange priority, on the one hand preserving the recent denuded landscape of farming, and recognising it is also a green desert.

[@t84t748748t6]

why its just so stupid to cut it down

[@robnewman6101]

Robin Hood. Prince of Thieves 1991.