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Iconic tree at Hadrian's Wall's 'Sycamore Gap' has been 'felled'

hexham-courant.co.uk

161–170 of 209 posts

Re: Iconic tree at Hadrian's Wall's 'Sycamore Gap' has been 'felled'

#161
post #80
post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even in already-popular places I think there is something about “getting the photo” that gives people this kind of tunnel vision where they’ll behave in ways they might not otherwise. It has been noticeable living near and regularly walking/running across the Brooklyn Bridge and through the Front and Washington viewpoint in DUMBO, before and after the rise of Instagram. People are aggressive, selfish, and absolutely…

I wish people would realize that their vacation photos should include, well, them. When I travel, I'm taking pictures of my family doing things, not the things they're doing. No one needs another generic copy of just the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty.

Some people just enjoy photographing you know. Personally I do both.

Re: Iconic tree at Hadrian's Wall's 'Sycamore Gap' has been 'felled'

#162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Snark aside: They need to make sure that someone wasn't trying to take down a different tree and made a mistake.

There is zero chance this was a mistake, it’s the only tree in the area and to say it’s iconic in the North East is an understatement - this was a deliberate act, the only thing in doubt is their state of mind.

From a legal perspective, this isn’t an issue. It’ll be a brave barrister that tries to argue a lack of intent when someone travels to the arse end of nowhere with a chainsaw and cuts a well-known tree down. I’d honestly expect the judge to throw the hammer at anyone who even tried.

Re: Iconic tree at Hadrian's Wall's 'Sycamore Gap' has been 'felled'

#163
post #95
post #87

Teenager arrested: https://news.sky.com/story/sycamore-gap-iconic-tree-at-hadri...

What's the right punishment for a case like this? Does anyone believe that full rehabilitation is possible, and that a teenager who does this will later come to realize the error of their ways and become be a valuable contributor to society sufficient to make up for this? Or is the sole goal a punishment that will deter others from doing similar anti-social deeds?

Remove each month some amount of money from his bank, so somebody is hired to plant, watch and care for some trees in an unknown protected location. Remove resources from the offenders and nurture the healers with this resources.

Repeat this procedure for the next 50 years of his life until the idea that boycotting nature for fun is not funny at all gets firmly established in their brain and he understands how much economical value has an old tree. Stop the chain of "crime school" challenges so we can protect children also. Use it as a clear warning for future criminals.

Re: Iconic tree at Hadrian's Wall's 'Sycamore Gap' has been 'felled'

#164
post #55

Slightly related: I always get surprised by how "small" Hadrian wall is. I mean, it was just to demarcate tthe point where the barbarians "should not" cross I believe? For sure it wasn't working as a regular wall to stop any invasions.

It was 3m thick and 4.2m tall with guard posts every 1/3rd mile. Seems like pretty significant defense to invasions.

... with each guard muttering to themselves "what a shite posting" (in Latin).

Re: Iconic tree at Hadrian's Wall's 'Sycamore Gap' has been 'felled'

#165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The cut is too straight and flat to be an amateur with a chainsaw. A cheapo chainsaw wouldn't be long enough to do this without needing to go in from both sides. There is also a paint line along the cut. Who paints along the line they're about to cut if they're just cutting down a tree?

> The cut is too straight and flat to be an amateur with a chainsaw. Looks like it was a 16 year old kid: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/28/boy-16-arres...

Well, just that he’s been arrested in connection - not that he did it. He could have there with the people, he may have known who did it etc.

Re: Iconic tree at Hadrian's Wall's 'Sycamore Gap' has been 'felled'

#166

I was trying to figure out the significance of this tree. It is alongside the wall but does not date to its construction, or anywhere near. It is several hundred years old, which is certainly remarkable though far from unique. It seems to be known primarily for being picturesque, which is less about the tree itself and more for being located in an interesting gap in the hills. It shows up in a number of movies, and a…

Us Brits are very passionate about lovely trees!

I’ve walked along that part of Hadrian’s Wall and stopped at that tree a number of times and it truly was a beautiful spot with real impact.

I don’t think there is any rational significance to the tree - it was just an ancient beautiful tree, standing alone in a very dramatic landscape. A tree that many folks paused to rest at and admire as they walked along Hadrian’s wall (itself steeped in history).

Re: Iconic tree at Hadrian's Wall's 'Sycamore Gap' has been 'felled'

#167
It's sad to see.

A large old growth redwood tree near me, destination point of some popular hikes, was intentionally burned down recently.

https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1074

Technically "the cause of the fire is unknown" but when there's a fire that burns down a single tree harming nothing around in the dense forest, it's pretty obviously intentional.

I wish I had more to say, but it seems like just meaningless destruction, from people who wish to meaninglessly destroy things.

Re: Iconic tree at Hadrian's Wall's 'Sycamore Gap' has been 'felled'

#168
What a pity. A wanton act of vandalism. Sycamore trees live up to about 400 years so the tree would have had at least a couple of hundred years more giving pleasure to those visiting the area and providing a home for wildlife.

Hopefully this vandal will be immortalised by the Internet for the next couple of hundred years too.

Re: Iconic tree at Hadrian's Wall's 'Sycamore Gap' has been 'felled'

#169

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Rumours in the national press are a lot more influential in allocating police resources to finding evidence and interviewing suspects than rumours in the local pub. Not really sure why you're continuing to insist on a Sherlock Holmes style resolution where everyone's been charged and all evidence is in the public domain within the first couple of months, but what is evident is that it hasn't been abandoned like it of…

You said that "Court admissible evidence is more likely to turn up when it's front page news and people are digging" and then used this as an example. I'm asking because it doesn't seem to actually be an example of what you're claiming.

I used it as a topical example of another ongoing case where court admissible evidence was more likely to turn up because the police are more motivated to look for it and people with possibly relevant information more likely to testify, yes. If I had meant my outrageously bold claim that stuff is more likely to be found if more people look harder for it to rest entirely on this case, I would have said so!

If you're struggling to see any link between five people being bailed and a case being somewhat more thoroughly investigated and likely to make it to court than the average empty building arson, maybe leave the tedious armchair lawyering to someone who can.

Re: Iconic tree at Hadrian's Wall's 'Sycamore Gap' has been 'felled'

#170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is the meaning of all of this? Is this just anti-social behavior seeping into city councils? Is there some political motive here?

"If you want to destroy the spirit of a country don't kill its people, burn its forests, fell the trees, and destroy its prized cultural artifacts" The oldest trick in the book of war

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_T%C3%A9n%C3%A9r%C3%A9
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