Man accused of deliberately felling world-famous Sycamore Gap tree speaks out

It’s fair to say 2023 has been a bit of a mad year, there’s been some rather unexpected headlines in the news here in the UK alone.

And yet in all the craziness of even just last week’s stories – from ‘news presenters’ getting suspended to a pilot doing coke – a tree made for big news.

On Thursday 28 September, the landmark along Hadrian’s Wall was cut down in what is believed to have been a ‘deliberate act of vandalism'.

A 16-year-old boy was first arrested on suspicion of criminal damage before being released on bail. A man in his 60s was then arrested on Friday evening in connection with the felling of the tree.

And now, the accused man has spoken out.

Michael White/Northumberland National Park/Facebook

Walter Renwick, 69, denied cutting down the tree and has since been released from custody.

A retired lumberjack, he told the Mail: “The speculation is bloody ridiculous. I’ll tell you this much, I wouldn’t be so sad to do that.

“It was a lovely tree, an iconic tree, but I mean to go up there and cut that down, I’m not that stupid.”

After losing a two-year battle, Renwick has been ordered to quit the property where he ran a tourist campsite.

And he told The Sun he understands why people might be blaming him: “I didn’t do it. I am a former lumberjack and I have just been kicked off my property, so I can see why people have pointed the finger.

Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

“My brother came down to make sure I hadn't been arrested as he had heard the rumours. It's very sad. It's an iconic tree.”

Locals are reportedly furious with this act against the beloved tree and it’s sparked outrage across Britain. I mean, not exactly in the circles that most of us are in, but with people who this kind of thing apparently means something to.

At the time of his arrest, Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney-Menzies, of Northumbria Police, said: “The senseless destruction of what is undoubtedly a world-renowned landmark – and a local treasure – has quite rightly resulted in an outpour of shock, horror and anger throughout the North East and further afield. I hope this second arrest demonstrates just how seriously we’re taking this situation, and our ongoing commitment to find those responsible and bring them to justice.”

Northumbria Police spokesperson told LADbible: "A male in his 60s was arrested in connection with the incident. He has since been released on police bail, pending further enquiries.”