Sycamore Hole Tree vacationers are informed ‘do not contact the stump’ as space round felled tree is fenced off – as detectives probe concept that historic tree could not have been reduce down by only one boy

Grieving vacationers who’ve travelled to pay their respects to the felled Sycamore Hole Tree have been requested to cease touching the stump by the Nationwide Belief.

The tragic timber on Hadrian’s Wall was reduce down in the midst of the night time final week, prompting nationwide outrage.

Right this moment it was fenced off and a chalked blackboard signal from the belief was put up warning wood-loving wellwishers to remain away.

It learn: ‘Please respect the tree and keep away from touching it or eradicating items from it.

‘We’ll discover a strategy to commemorate it. Thanks.’

Police nonetheless have Plankey Mill Farm in Northumberland taped off after they arrested a second man after the UK’s most well-known tree was chopped down

A full investigation was launched after the Sycamore Hole Tree was reduce down final week

It got here after a former lumberjack investigated over its felling vehemently denied any involvement, saying: ‘I am not that silly.’

Walter Renwick, 69, gave an interview to a Mail reporter simply hours earlier than police began looking out his property on Friday night time. 

Reacting to social media gossip, he stated: ‘The hypothesis is bloody ridiculous. I will let you know this a lot, I would not be so unhappy to do this.’

Mr Renwick’s Northumberland farm is eight miles from the tree. He stated: ‘It was a beautiful tree, an iconic tree, however I imply to go up there and reduce that down, I am not that silly.’

Now diminished to a stump, the 70ft sycamore was one of many world’s most photographed timber and featured within the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner. 

A part of the Hadrian’s Wall Unesco world heritage web site, it has drawn walkers and guests from all around the globe.

In 2016, it was named Tree of the 12 months by the Woodland Belief.

Mr Renwick blamed the net finger-pointing on his work – he was a lumberjack for 40 years – and due to his eviction from the farm final week following a long-running dispute. He now lives in a camper van close by.

Walter Renwick (pictured at his dwelling), 69, who was not too long ago evicted from his property, has dismissed rife accusations on-line that he was behind the surprising act of vandalism

The enduring Sycamore Hole tree was felled in a single day on Wednesday, sparking fury throughout Britain

‘It makes it sound like me, would not it, as a result of it was a very good reduce,’ he stated, referring to the offender’s handiwork. ‘It was darkish clearly nevertheless it was a beautiful moonlit night time… the reduce was good.

‘Once I say good, you’ll be able to inform a very good lumberjack by the best way he cuts a tree down. I have never seen the reduce clearly, however I’ve seen it on the pc.’ He added: ‘My chainsaw’s down right here by that barn door, however you’ll be able to see that it hasn’t been used for ages.’

Mr Renwick ran Plankey Mill farm and campsite for many years. He closed the campsite and offered the animals on the farm after a dispute with The Jesuits in Britain, who personal the land.

Considered one of Mr Renwick’s closest kinfolk, who requested to not be named, stated: ‘There isn’t any method he [Walter] may’ve executed this, he completely loves the land. He lives for the land. He is actually not properly sufficient to do something like that. Walter is on a great deal of totally different drugs for varied circumstances – he’d moderately starve than depart the home to get meals.’

Mr Renwick’s youthful brother Colin, 64, added: ‘I do know 100 per cent he isn’t executed it. I am completely satisfied he has not executed it.

‘This has been nothing greater than trial by Fb. I went right down to see him the opposite night time once I learn his title on Fb. I stated, ‘inform me you did not do that’, and he stated, ‘what the hell do you assume I’m? In fact I did not do it’.’

Mr Renwick revealed that even his personal brother rushed to his dwelling to search out the reality. Pictured: Police at his dwelling

Northumbria Police introduced tonight that it a second man, in his 60s, has been arrested in reference to the felling of the tree at Sycamore Hole in Northumberland. Pictured: Forensic officers on the timber stump

Mr Renwick discovered he was underneath suspicion when his brother visited him on Thursday night time and stated: ‘I am happy to see you are still right here.’ Mr Renwick expressed bewilderment. ‘He then stated the tree had been reduce down and that ‘everyone is pointing the finger at you’.’

Information of the felling provoked a livid response from politicians, environmentalists and the general public. Many felt ‘appalled’ and ‘saddened’ on the loss.

‘This can be a heartbreaking act of senseless vandalism,’ stated Mary Foy, Labour MP for Durham.

Si King, the TV cook dinner and Bushy Biker, posted a video on-line by which he accused the ‘warped’ offender of ‘murdering a sentinel of time and an elemental spirit of Northumberland’.

Horticulturalists have raised the thought of helicoptering in a mature sycamore to take its place.

Antony Gormley, the sculptor of the Angel Of The North, is known to be in discussions to create an paintings the place the tree as soon as stood. A 16-year-old held in reference to the felling was launched on bail on Friday.