THE senseless destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree has resulted in an outpouring of shock, horror and anger.
The 300-year-old tree in Northumberland was cut down overnight on September 27 in what detectives called a "deliberate act of vandalism".
It was made famous in a key scene in Kevin Costner's 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves and was among the UK's most photographed trees.
The felling also caused damage to Hadrian's Wall, one of Britain's best-known UNESCO world heritage sites.
Why anyone would want to cut down one of England's most iconic trees has left people across the UK baffled.
NorthumbriaĀ PoliceĀ confirmed they are keeping an "open mind" as the investigation continues.
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Here are the current suspects police are probing.
Walter Renwick
Walter Renwick is a formerĀ lumberjackĀ who lives eight miles from whereĀ the UK's most famous treeĀ had proudly stood.
On September 29, Renwick was arrested after the iconicĀ tree was chopped down.
Police descended on Renwick's farmĀ inĀ Northumberland, close to the scene of theĀ crime.
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They conducted a two-day search of the isolated plot whereĀ theyĀ found a chainsawĀ in an outbuilding.
It was added to dozens more evidence bags taken from the former campsite.
But the 69-year-old,Ā who has been released on bail, insists he's "f***ing innocent".
He told The Sun: "I'm a former lumberjack and I've just been kicked off my property so I can see why people have pointed the finger.
"I didn't do it".
And he later added: "Trees have their own DNAĀ and you can use the dust to track down which tree was felled, so it'll be easy to find who did it.
"It was the perfect night to do it.
"There was aĀ full moonĀ so it would have been well lit and the wind would have meant there was barely any sound."
Renwick is understood to have been evicted by the property's owners and is now living in a nearby camper van.
A 16-year-old boy
Cops were quick to arrestĀ a 16-year-old boy after theĀ tree was found felledĀ early on September 28.
The teen was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
He was released on bail while police continued probing the allegedĀ crime.
Det Chief Insp Rebecca Fenney-Menzies ofĀ Northumbria PoliceĀ said: "The senseless destruction of what is undoubtedly a world-renowned landmark ā and a local treasure ā has quite rightly resulted in an outpour shock, horror and anger throughout the North East and further afield.
"This investigation is still in the early stages, and we would continue to encourage any members of the public with information which may assist to get in touch.
"If you've seen or heard anything suspicious that may be of interest to us ā Iād implore you to contact us.
"I'd also like to remind the public that this remains a live investigation so, for that reason, please avoid any speculation both in the community and on social media.
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"Any information ā no matter how small or insignificant you think it may be ā could prove absolutely crucial to our enquiries."
Anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log NP-20230928-0295.
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