One of the most iconic and photographed trees in Britain has been felled in an act of 'mindless vandalism'.
Images emerged today of the Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland lying on the ground, with a stump left in the ground where it once stood.
It is clear from the trunk that the tree was not hit by high winds but felled by a chainsaw.
The landmark featured in the Hollywood movie Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and has been seen in countless TV shows and snapped by tourists from around the world.
The Crown Inn at Humshaugh, close to the spot where the tree stood in Northumberland National Park, posted: "Absolutely Shocking News this morning, Sycamore Gap is no longer, some mindless idiot appears to of cut it down through the night, What on earth goes through peoples heads?
"We welcome thousands of people each year who look forward to seeing the famous tree, A Very Sad Day".
The author LJ Ross wrote: "Terribly sad to hear of the loss of this iconic, beautiful tree which was the inspiration for my second book. I don't know why it was felled, there is a lot of speculation at the moment, but I can only hope there was a very good reason."
But others pointed out that the tree had clearly been felled deliberately. Sycamore Gap is an iconic sight along Hadrian's Wall.
It was made famous in the Kevin Costner film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves when he visited the location en route Sherwood Forest.
It is probably the most photographed tree in the country and stands in a dramatic dip in Hadrian's Wall.
The landmark featured in the Hollywood movie Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
The Northumberland National Park Authority's website says the Roman Milecastle 39 is just to its left.
Sycamore Gap is looked after by both Northumberland National Park and the National Trust.
This morning, the authority said: "(We) can confirm that sadly, the famous tree at Sycamore Gap has come down over night. We have reason to believe it has been deliberately felled.
"We are working with the relevant agencies and partners with an interest in this iconic North East landmark and will issue more details once they are known."
The authority is asking the public not to visit the site, near Crag Lough, "whilst we work with our partners to identify what has happened and to make the site safe".
A spokesperson added: "Sycamore Gap was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016 in the Woodland Trust's awards and is much-loved by people from across the world."
The news was met with dismay and outrage by walkers' groups on social media.
One woman, who visited the site on Thursday, posted a picture on Facebook of the felled tree with the caption: "An awful moment for all walking Hadrians wall the Sycamore Gap tree has gone! Not the storm an absolute f****** felled it!!"
Another user replied: "I am absolutely heartbroken as someone that is there often taking photos."
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