Current:Home > Back16-year-old male arrested on suspicion of felling a landmark tree in England released on bail-InfoLens
16-year-old male arrested on suspicion of felling a landmark tree in England released on bail
View Date:2024-12-23 15:13:08
LONDON (AP) — The 16-year-old male arrested for felling a 300-year-old sycamore tree near the Roman landmark of Hadrian’s Wall in the north of England has been released on bail, police said Friday.
The boy was arrested Thursday on suspicion of criminal damage, after the tree was felled overnight.
Why anyone would want to cut down one of England’s most iconic trees has left people across the U.K. baffled and angry.
Robert Macfarlane, a renowned nature writer, said he was “sick to the core” to hear the news about the tree, which was “known and loved by millions.”
“I just see this as part of a piece with a much broader hostile environment towards the living world in this country,” he told BBC radio. “It was a tree that ashes were scattered under, marriages were made under, and it was a shelter for tired walkers.”
Macfarlane said he was buoyed by the widespread disgust that followed news of the tree’s felling and suggested that a new forest be planted in its honor.
The tree was one of the main landmarks along Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built nearly 2,000 years ago when Britain was part of the Roman Empire to guard its northwestern frontier.
For generations, walkers have paused to admire and photograph the tree at Sycamore Gap, which was made famous when it appeared in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.”
The National Trust, which for more than 125 years has sought to protect England’s heritage and natural landscapes, said it is currently “making the site safe, and helping staff and the community come to terms with the news.”
The tree, which was cut down near the base of its trunk, could grow again, experts said, though they cautioned that it would never be the same.
“It’s worth a try but I think livestock and wildlife will potentially damage it as well,” said Rob Ternent, head gardener at The Alnwick Garden nearby. “It’ll be very difficult to get it back to the original tree.”
Ternent said that the first shoots of recovery could start to appear in the spring, and the tree could get to be about 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall, though it will be bushy.
“It was about 300 years old, so it’ll take a long time to get back to that size,” he added.
veryGood! (393)
Related
- Mississippi governor intent on income tax cut even if states receive less federal money
- NFL Week 11 picks straight up and against spread: Will Bills hand Chiefs first loss of season?
- Mike Tyson concedes the role of villain to young foe in 58-year-old’s fight with Jake Paul
- US wholesale inflation picks up slightly in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Police identify 7-year-old child killed in North Carolina weekend shooting
- AI could help scale humanitarian responses. But it could also have big downsides
- Statue of the late US Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, is unveiled in his native Alabama
- Florida man’s US charges upgraded to killing his estranged wife in Spain
- Jerry Jones lashes out at question about sun's glare at AT&T Stadium after Cowboys' loss
- Two 'incredibly rare' sea serpents seen in Southern California waters months apart
Ranking
- Spirit Airlines cancels release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
- 5-year-old boy who went missing while parent was napping is found dead near Oregon home, officials say
- Study finds Wisconsin voters approved a record number of school referenda
- Worker trapped under rubble after construction accident in Kentucky
- Beyoncé has released lots of new products. Here's a Beyhive gift guide for the holidays
- Outgoing North Carolina governor grants 2 pardons, 6 commutations
- High-scoring night in NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo explodes for 59, Victor Wembanyama for 50
- Nelly will not face charges after St. Louis casino arrest for drug possession
Recommendation
-
Tom Brady Shares How He's Preparing for Son Jack to Be a Stud
-
Blake Snell free agent rumors: Best fits for two-time Cy Young winner
-
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a long record of promoting anti-vaccine views
-
What is best start in NBA history? Five teams ahead of Cavaliers' 13-0 record
-
Best fits for Corbin Burnes: 6 teams that could match up with Cy Young winner
-
'Survivor' 47, Episode 9: Jeff Probst gave players another shocking twist. Who went home?
-
Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue and Billy Porter to perform at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
-
Kentucky governor says investigators will determine what caused deadly Louisville factory explosion