Crux

7 months on and they still haven't found the culprit(s). Meanwhile, The National Trust Plant Conservation is cultivating and taking special care of the saplings taken from the scene at the time... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13279781/Sycamore-Gap-tree-felled-police-culprits.html

Thank you.

A 300-year-old landmark tree, which famously featured in Robin Hood has been felled overnight in a 'malicious act of vandalism'. The Sycamore Gap, along Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, is one of the UK's most photographed trees and featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman. But it was found chopped down with its upper section lying across the historic Roman barrier. Walkers noticed how part of the tree appeared to have been marked with white paint, indicating someone may have felled it with a chainsaw. It has sparked claims that the tree was vandalised by a 'professional' and the park authority believes it was deliberately chopped down out of spite by vandals or someone with a grudge. Alison Hawkins, who lives close by was one of the first on the scene, posting a picture on Facebook with the caption: 'An awful moment for all walking Hadrian's Wall. The Sycamore Gap tree has gone! Not the storm, an absolute ******* felled it!!' Ms Hawkins, who was on her fourth day of walking Hadrian's Wall, said she was 'tearful' when she discovered the tree had been cut down. She said: 'At first we thought it was because of the storm but then we saw a national park ranger. 'He said it had been cut down and there was paint around the cut section, so it was a professional who knew where they were going to cut. 'It was a huge shock. It's basically the iconic picture that everyone wants to see. You can forgive nature doing it but you can't forgive that.' Update: A 60 year old man and 16 year old boy have since been arrested. More to come...