This is my Speculation Of The Day:
The tree cutter is probably a teenager who is either a recent immigrant or first generation citizen. This boy is probably Muslim in faith.
Why do I say that? Because it’s possible that at some point in time, the people from that locale were at odds with a group belonging to some form of the Muslim faith. They tend to never let go of a grudge, especially, if a conflict resulted in the Muslim side being defeated.
Perhaps this teen thinks he is avenging his own people, by destroying a beloved symbol of his enemy’s civilized world.
...OR
Maybe somebody said, “Hey, Mate, hold my pint, and you just watch this!...Get your cell phones at the ready.”
Until they release information, we don’t know.
16 year old boys often don’t have an appreciation of history.
I hope they plant a new one, because the shoots won’t grow as majestic as the original tree.
My gut says it’s one of the “STOP OIL” terrorists.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_Ténéré
The Tree of Ténéré was a tree in Africa that was so isolated the nearest tree was almost 100 miles away. It was considered a landmark in the area.
Until a drunk driver hit it with a truck in 1973 and destroyed it.