Police in Northumberland have detained a man in his 60s in connection with the felling of the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree.
The Hadrian’s Wall monument was demolished overnight on Wednesday.
According to Northumbria Police, the guy was detained on Friday evening and remains in jail aiding with investigations.
According to police, a 16-year-old kid was detained on suspicion of criminal damage on Thursday and has since been freed on bond.
“The senseless destruction of what is undeniably a world-renowned landmark – and a local treasure – has quite rightly resulted in an outpouring of shock, horror, and anger throughout the North East and further afield,” said Det Ch Insp Rebecca Fenney-Menzies.
“I hope that this second arrest shows how seriously we take this situation and our ongoing commitment to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice.”
“Although another arrest has been made, this investigation is still in its early stages, and we would encourage any members of the public with information that could help to contact us.”
“If you’ve seen or heard anything suspicious that may be of interest to us – I’d implore you to contact us.”
On Friday, a police presence remained at the scene, with forensics officers measuring and sampling the bones and photographing the surroundings.
One person was overheard remarking, “In 31 years of forensics, I’ve never examined a tree.”
The Park Authority and the National Trust both looked after the tree, which was thought to be around 300 years old.
It sprouted in a natural depression in the countryside near Hexham and was used in Kevin Costner’s 1991 picture Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Officials from the Northumberland National Park Authority said the tree was “part of England’s identity” and had been “a real inspiration” to painters, authors, and photographers.
“A lot of people have a deep connection to this place, and fond memories of this place,” said CEO Tony Gates, “and to have lost that is a real shame.”
The stump was “healthy,” according to National Trust manager Andrew Poad, and specialists may be able to coppice the tree, in which new shoots develop from the trunk’s base.
However, the Woodland Trust’s estate manager, Mark Feather, stated that it would “take a few years to develop into even a small tree and around 150 to 200 years before it is anywhere close to what we have lost.”
