Sycamore Gap tree: After the arrest of a 16-year-old a conspiracy theory emerges

One of the most famous trees in the country has been felled. The news that came out in the early morning of 28 September 2023 moved a lot of people. From MPs to fans of Robin Hood, many have shared how devastated they are at the loss of the Sycamore Gap Tree believed to be around 300 years old.

At first the story was vague but quickly it emerged that the tree falling had been an act of vandalism. The police investigated and later on 28 September a 16-year-old boy was arrested.

But this arrest is not something people seem to be buying into…

A devastating loss

As mentioned earlier, the loss of the Sycamore Gap tree pulled at many people's heartstrings. Since the news came out, many have paid homage to it.

Though we didn’t know that tree, we have since learnt that it was made famous by the movie Robin Hood: The Prince of Thieves released in 1991. On top of its movie success, the tree was a major landmark and one of the most photographed trees in the world.

Many have expressed their anger, sadness and outrage at the news.

Still shocked & saddened by yesterday’s senseless act of vandalism. Cannot comprehend how a 16 year old would wake up one day & think let’s take a chainsaw & fell an iconic tree Why? What next?

A growing conspiracy theory

Since it was announced that a 16-year-old was arrested for cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree with a chainsaw many people on X have expressed their skepticism .

Reading the reactions, it appears that many have trouble understanding how a teenager could have been strong enough to cut such a massive tree. Not only that, some X users believe that there is something bigger at play.

One person says:

It’s a bit far-fetched that a teenager cut this down in the middle of a storm. I’m sure the truth will come out in the end!

A 16yo with a large chainsaw and professional training did not drive several miles at night in a storm to do this for a laugh

Now I'm not a tree surgeon, but I think it's pretty f*cking unlikely that a 16 year old kid could wield a chainsaw so expertly in the middle of the night. This stinks to high heaven. Another distraction perhaps?

Personally find it unlikely a 16 year- old would bother to do this in a storm for a prank, let alone mark a saw cut with white paint

So apparently A 16 year old boy, in the middle of a dark night, during ridiculous winds, makes a cut THIS CLEAN with a chainsaw?!?! F**k off man. I ain’t buying that for s**t. The poor lads a fall guy for something being swept under the carpet.

We will stop quoting X users now as there are many more tweets but we do have to admit that some of their arguments bring up relevant points.

The 16-year-old boy arrested was released on bail in the afternoon of 29 September. Only time will tell us if people’s skepticism was spot on…

Read more:

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⋙ Vandals have been wreaking havoc in Venice

⋙ Obsessed with true crime? Here is what it says about your personality

Sources:

BBC News: Sycamore Gap: Boy, 16, arrested after Hadrian's Wall tree felled

Independent: Boy, 16, arrested amid anger after world-famous Sycamore Gap tree chopped down