Sycamore Gap

They’re going to have to protect the site now if they want the tree to grow back. Firstly, there will be people wanting to collect seed to see if they can grow their own offspring and then, if it shows signs of re growth next spring, the stump will have to be caged in some way to prevent idiots breaking bits off.

Hopefully, it will grow back as a multi-stemmed coppiced tree and will never be the same majestic shape but would be a great triumph of nature over wanton destruction.

Fingers crossed!

Beyond belief

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So sad. I was there a couple of years ago walking that part of the wall.

Suzie20 Thank you so much for sharing The Sycamore's Lament - it's very meaningful.

I have never been able to understand the reasoning behind vandalism of any sort, and much as I love the natural world and feel sad that this tree has been felled mindlessly, I am much sadder about the 15 year old schoolgirl in Croydon killed with all her life before her.

This broke my heart. It was iconic, that tree. What a senseless wanton act of vandalism.😔

The tree isn’t dead infoman Sycamore s will regrow and reshoot however it will take it 300 year to get back to as it was

mumofmadboys that wasn’t possibly done by a 16 year old boy I presume he’s the scrapegoat for at least two adult men who knew exactly how to fell a large tree and to be able to carry big heavy machinery to do it with

just wondering if they could just stand the tree up on top of the trunk, with supports for a little while,I know the tree is now dead,but would hate to see it just cut up on site,and it could be seen as it was for a little while,and I have never been to the location.

It is very sad to lose such an iconic tree but to imprison the lad would be ridiculous. I agree with community service

Listening to an arborist on radio this morning he said, as I thought, no way would a 16 year old be able to do this it was cut by someone who knew how to cut trees he said it needed at last two people and a professional chainsaw It has been cut comp,geeky cleanly and the 16 year old is being used as a scapegoat
He believes the owner of the land knows what appended
Whoever it was I hope they are well punished

I don’t believe a 16 year old did this alone it looks a very professional job, that’s a blooming big tree to fell it wouldn’t be done in 5 minutes either
Very very sad and so unnecessary
I wonder what the story is behind his need to destroy

I often think we should revive that old fashionad punishment called the stocks, where the guilty party was locked up in a contraption so that the public could pelt them with refuse and rotten veggies. I guess social media is the modern equivalent.

An act of ignorance and destruction. I hope he gets a serious punishment.

Why did they do it? What a strange thing to do.

I detest whoever did this. Some serious punishment is needed.

It is a terrible shame. I can't bear to hear of vandalism. Do they get a kick from it.

Such a potent image that tree has(d)

What a magnificent tree. Absolutely disgraceful doing this.

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Very sad

Numerous ancient trees have been destroyed in the name of HS2 - legal vandalism. It’s all sickening. When will we respect the natural world?

We're just watching Harvest on the Farm, where they are demonstrating wooden spoon making and talking about Welsh Love Spoons.

I hope the wood from this tree can be used to create beautiful items such as spoons, bowls etc which could be sold so that people never forget this iconic tree.

The Sycamore’s Lament
Do not weep for me
A sycamore tree
I knew this day would
Come
You who have visited me
Shared your love and grief with me
My roots are still here
Though my branches are gone.
Come and stand for a while
And you may still hear
The wind playing soft through my leaves
As the birds sing their song
Of an old tree’s lament
Where I stood over 200 years.
Everything changes
All beauty must die
Or wither and fade or decay
And man must destroy
What he loves most in the world
Through anger, or greed and dismay.
So do not forget me
A sycamore tree
A symbol of ancient folklore
Remember a place where a great tree once stood
Now a gap with a Sycamore
No more.
Gail Lawler 28/09/2023

MaizieD

I wasn't trying to excuse it, Callistemon. I think it was a dreadful thing to do.

But a substitute will grow fast to fill the gap.

(I could supply a seedling or 500 or so.. Though I think an oak tree would be better... )

They weren't introduced to Britain before the 16th C apparently. When our local Wildlife Trust took over a wood a few years ago they cut down all the sycamores because they're not 'native' trees...

Yes, I could dig up a few as well.

They do grow quickly so let's hope it's replaced soon although it was an iconic symbol, not just a tree.

A fitting punishment would be for the culprit to be set to 20 years hard labour planting trees to help save the planet.

It's so senseless, isn't it? Why would anyone do that, never mind a 16 year old, and I agree with those saying it seems unlikely that he acted alone.

One of my favourite trees. I have so many memories of that section of the Path, in good and bad times, including a friend and I determinedly yomping through a snowy freezing winter’s day to mourn my dad.

I’m gutted.

I wasn't trying to excuse it, Callistemon. I think it was a dreadful thing to do.

But a substitute will grow fast to fill the gap.

(I could supply a seedling or 500 or so.. Though I think an oak tree would be better... )

They weren't introduced to Britain before the 16th C apparently. When our local Wildlife Trust took over a wood a few years ago they cut down all the sycamores because they're not 'native' trees...

Even I as a softie southerner know this tree (L J across book). How dreadful this is.