The most bizarre whodunnit gripping Britain: Theories swirl over just why world famous Sycamore Gap tree was chopped down in the middle of the night...as boy, 16, is quizzed by police

Daily Mail UK ^ | September 28, 2023 | Mark Duell

[Morgana]

Bizzare theories are swirling tonight over why the world famous Sycamore Gap tree, which appeared in Kevin Costner's 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, was chopped down in the middle of the night, as a 16-year-old boy is quizzed by police.

The much-loved landmark at Sycamore Gap, next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland.

Mystery surrounds how the damage could have been done, with some theorising that 'a professional who knew where they were going to cut' was responsible, perhaps requiring a torch to complete the job at night. It is possible the perpetrator would have required an accomplice to hold the light or assist with a chainsaw - but police have not yet confirmed how many people were involved.

One person took to social media X to say they were 'morbidly curious' to find out who chopped the historic tree down and what their motivation was for 'destroying a piece of living history'. They added: 'If only trees could talk.'

Northumbria Police confirmed this afternoon that a 16-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and was in police custody.

Following this an X, formerly Twitter, user said: 'No way could a 16-year-old wimpy kid do that on his own. I smell a rat.' While another user questioned: 'What's the motive - I can't fathom it?'

[AppyPappy]

I’m guessing he will mention his “mental health”

[DesertRhino]

If they are hiding who did it, it was someone exactly like that.

[usurper]

some theorising that 'a professional who knew where they were going to cut' was responsible,

I did notice the cut looked very professional. They did not use a cheep 19" Black and Decker. The cut was deep and clean.

I could not do it with my saw.

[Bob434]

The boy should say “I can not tell a lie, George Washington did it”

[SunkenCiv]

• Boy arrested after world famous Robin Hood tree on Hadrian's Wall felled [09/28/2023]
• The most bizarre whodunnit gripping Britain: Theories swirl over just why world famous Sycamore Gap tree was chopped down in the middle of the night...as boy, 16, is quizzed by police [09/28/2023]

[Paul R.]

Sycamores can come back very strong. We had a much bigger one in my parents' yard. It may have been the biggest in the county for a few years, as it was #2, and I know #1 had some serious storm damage in a storm that missed us. Eventually, after bouts of damage (lightning in one case, about 1/3 getting broken off in a later storm, and several rounds of Anthracnose, the electric power company insisted on taking it down, as it was a threat to power lines on the other side of the street.

One stump sprout dominated the others and is now a quite sizable tree itself, growing VERY well, as you say.

[Hiddigeigei]

"All I can say is make the kid pay for a new tree and fertilize it yearly with Miracle Gro, for the rest of his life."
Fertilize the new tree with his ashes.