A THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD year tree that witnessed the Battle of Hastings has been felled – sparking outrage.
The 40ft-high tree came crashing down last week in a field near Uckham Lane, Battle, East Sussex.
A 1,000-year-old yew tree came crashing down at the end of September
The 40ft-high tree stood in a field near Uckham Lane, Battle, East Sussex
The site is just a mile away from Senlac Hill – the generally accepted location for the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Qualified tree surgeon Paul Lawrence discovered the tree uprooted and lying on its side – about 100 yards away from its original location.
The arboriculturalist, 51, had sprinkled his grandfather’s ashes at the base of the tree.
“I first saw it yesterday morning when walking the dog,” he told The Argus last week
Saying that he had a “personal connection” to the tree, he added: “I was in complete and utter disbelief. The farmer has been doing work around the fields and cut back overgrown trees which I know needs to be done.
“I think it happened on Thursday. I was extremely emotional, I was very angry too.”
Mr Lawrence said he had contacted the council, adding: “I would like this to raise awareness of how many of these ancient trees are being lost. They are being lost by the swing of a digger’s arm.”
Rother District Council told the local newspaper it would not comment as the tree is on private land.
The Sun has contacted Sussex Police.
It comes after the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland was cut down overnight between Wednesday and Thursday last week.
Believed to have been about 300 years old, detectives called it a “deliberate act of vandalism”.
It was among the UK’s most photographed trees and was made famous in a scene in Kevin Costner‘s 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.
PAPolice are investigating how the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down[/caption]
The tree is popular with locals – who have been left devastated by its loss
PAThe Sycamore Gap tree was previously popular for tourist photos[/caption]
ReutersIt comes after the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down last week[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
