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→Felling: update details of arrests based on more recent reports that two of those arrested have been released and no further action will be taken against them; cite uncited claim |
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== Felling ==
[[Image:FelledSycamoreTree.jpg|thumb|The tree two days after it was felled]]
The tree was [[felled]] in the early morning of 28 September 2023. Locals heard nothing due to the high winds caused by [[Storm Agnes]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Vinter |first1=Robyn |last2=Halliday |first2=Josh |date=28 September 2023 |title=Boy, 16, arrested after felling of famous Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian's Wall |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/28/boy-16-arrested-in-connection-with-felling-of-famous-sycamore-gap-tree-hadrians-wall-england |access-date=1 October 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001090119/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/28/boy-16-arrested-in-connection-with-felling-of-famous-sycamore-gap-tree-hadrians-wall-england |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Northumberland National Park]] Authority said they believed it was done deliberately.<ref name="felled">{{cite news |title=World famous Sycamore Gap believed to have been 'deliberately felled' |url=https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2023-09-28/world-famous-sycamore-gap-tree-believed-to-have-been-deliberately-felled |access-date=28 September 2023 |publisher=ITV |date=28 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928213431/https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2023-09-28/world-famous-sycamore-gap-tree-believed-to-have-been-deliberately-felled |url-status=live }}</ref> The tree appeared to have been cut down with a [[chainsaw]], at the base of its trunk,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vinter |first1=Robyn |title=Famous Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian's Wall found cut down |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/28/famous-sycamore-gap-tree-at-hadrians-wall-found-apparently-cut-down |work=The Guardian |date=28 September 2023 |access-date=28 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928183838/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/28/famous-sycamore-gap-tree-at-hadrians-wall-found-apparently-cut-down |url-status=live }}</ref> with a white line spray painted on it just below the cut.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arrest after Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian's Wall 'deliberately felled' |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sycamore-gap-tree-robin-hood-hadrians-wall-qs3jg6scd |access-date=28 September 2023 |work=The Times |first1=Laurence |last1=Sleator |first2=Adam |last2=Vaughan |date=28 September 2023 |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928213515/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sycamore-gap-tree-robin-hood-hadrians-wall-qs3jg6scd |url-status=live }}</ref> The nature of the cut and the evident sharpness of the saw led police and park rangers to conclude it had been done by someone with considerable skill.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Vinter |first1=Robyn |last2=Halliday |first2=Josh |date=28 September 2023 |title=Boy, 16, arrested after felling of famous Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian's Wall |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/28/boy-16-arrested-in-connection-with-felling-of-famous-sycamore-gap-tree-hadrians-wall-england |access-date=1 October 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001090119/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/28/boy-16-arrested-in-connection-with-felling-of-famous-sycamore-gap-tree-hadrians-wall-england |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Northumbria Police]] arrested a 16-year-old boy and three men in connection with the tree's felling. The force have since confirmd that no further action will be taken against the boy and one of the men; the other two men, both in their 30s, remain on bail.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sycamore Gap tree: the story so far|last=Robinson|first=Chris|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-66994729|publisher=BBC News|date=13 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Man faces no further action over Sycamore Gap damage|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72yn4de2n0o|publisher=BBC News|date=13 December 2023}}</ref>
The destruction of the iconic tree led to an outpouring of anger and sadness. Over the decades the iconic tree had become the backdrop for marriage proposals, weddings or spreading ashes of loved ones. The National Trust's regional director for the North of England, said: "The outpouring we've seen shows just how important the connection is between people and nature in its many forms, and as we consider plans for this special tree, and this very special place, we'll also look to harness that support for trees, landscapes and nature all across the country, and use the sycamore as a symbol of recovery."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/world/europe/sycamore-gap-tree-uk.html Beloved Tree in England Is Felled in 'Act of Vandalism'], nytimes.com, 29 September 2023</ref><ref>https://www.ireland-live.ie/news/uk/1320222/felled-sycamore-gap-tree-to-be-removed-by-crane.html</ref>
On 29 September, a National Trust manager said that the stump seemed "healthy" and thought that the tree could possibly regrow in [[coppice]]d form, although he added that it would "take a few years to develop into even a small tree and around 150 to 200 years before it is anywhere close to what we have lost".<ref name=BBC66957589/> Seeds were collected from the tree which are to be used to propagate new [[sapling]]s.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sycamore Gap tree: the story so far|last=Robinson|first=Chris|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-66994729|publisher=BBC News|date=13 December 2023}}</ref>
A preliminary inspection of Hadrian's Wall by [[Historic England]] revealed "some damage".<ref >{{Cite news |title=Felling of Sycamore Gap tree damaged Hadrian’s Wall, inspection reveals |date=5 October 2023 |newspaper=The Guardian |author=Mark Brown |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/oct/05/felling-of-sycamore-gap-tree-damaged-hadrians-wall-inspection-reveals}}</ref><ref >{{Cite news |title=Sycamore Gap: Hadrian's Wall damage found after tree cut down |date=5 October 2023 |author=Samantha Jagger |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-67015699}}</ref> The felled tree was cut up and removed by crane for storage on National Trust property.<ref name=BBC67077617/>
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