Man in his 60s bailed over felling of landmark Sycamore Gap tree

A man in his 60s arrested in connection with the felling of a world-famous tree near Hadrian’s Wall has been bailed.

The Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland, believed to have been about 300 years old, was cut down overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.

Detectives have called the incident a “deliberate act of vandalism” and the investigation is ongoing.

On Monday, a Northumbria Police spokesperson said “A male in his 60s was arrested in connection with the incident.

“He has since been released on police bail, pending further inquiries.”

A 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of criminal damage on Thursday in connection with the incident has also been bailed, the force previously confirmed.

The sycamore, which stood in a dramatic dip near Hadrian’s Wall, was looked after by Northumberland National Park Authority and the National Trust.

It was among the UK’s most photographed trees and was made famous in a scene in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.

Experts have said new shoots are expected to grow from the tree but it will never be the same again.