Man plants sapling at Sycamore Gap to replace axed tree - then that gets dug up
A sycamore sapling planted on the site of the felled Sycamore Gap by a local do-gooder is to be removed by the National Trust as it was done so without "prior permission".
Newcastle man Kieran Chapman planted the tree on Friday night in a bid to "try and restore people's faith in humanity". However, by Saturday afternoon, the National Trust had confirmed that Hadrian's Wall's status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and UNESCO World Heritage site meant it would have to be dug up.
Kieran, 27, said he took action following an outpouring of grief in the aftermath of the iconic tree being cut down some time late on Wednesday night or the early hours of Thursday morning. The van fixer, who had never visited the location before, was still planting his replacement yesterday as camera crews arrived in Northumberland to film.
Kieran Chapman's replacement sapling for the felled Sycamore Gap tree is to be removed due to the site's World Heritage status (Newcastle Chronicle)Kieran told ChronicleLive: "[I planted the tree] just because everyone was devastated about it, including myself. I planned to go and take the dog for a walk next weekend there. The day before the tree was felled, I said I'm going to go to Sycamore Gap next weekend because I'm busy this weekend. But I got an early finish yesterday so I thought I'm going to restore people's faith in humanity, bring a smile back to people's faces, and just give them a bit of hope."
Though he believes that the new tree is "not doing any harm," altering or adding anything to a UNESCO World Heritage Site without government consent is against the law as it poses risk to its archaeology. The National Trust has since revealed it is now working with Kieran to find a more appropriate spot.
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A National Trust spokesperson said: "We understand the strength of feeling following the events at Sycamore Gap this week - and are grateful for the many offers of support and good wishes we've received from near and far. It's important for everyone to remember that the site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a globally important archaeological setting, with UNESCO World Heritage designation, and that altering or adding to it can damage the archaeology, and is unlawful without prior consent from Government.
Kieran's sapling is set to be swiftly removed by the National Trust (Newcastle Chronicle)"We urge anyone wanting to pay tribute to the Sycamore Gap tree to speak to the National Trust first. The public can leave pictures, poems and memories at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre over the weekend. The National Trust and Northumberland National Park, along with other partners and local people, are making plans for the site and the Sycamore Gap tree in the future, and we will inform people as soon as we know the best way forward. While regrettably we will be removing the sapling, we have spoken to the person who planted it, and are working with them to find an appropriate planting spot within the local area."
Meanwhile the daughter-in-law of a man being questioned over the chopping down of the tree says he is not fit enough to have done it. Former lumberjack Walter Renwick has been evicted from his farm, with police searching the property as part of their investigation. Mr Renwick's daughter-in-law Lauren said she was "livid" after the 69-year-old was taken into custody at Newcastle police station for "something he hasn't even done". She said he's got two leaking heart valves and the physicality of such a task would be impossible for him.
A 16-year-old boy was also arrested earlier this week but was bailed pending further enquiries.
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