Sycamore Gap: How 300-year-old tree’s ‘DNA’ could unlock mystery of vandal feller

A lumberjack accused of felling one of Britain’s most iconic trees says he’s “f**king innocent” and claimed there is a key to solving the case.

DNA may unlock the mystery felling of one of Britain’s most iconic trees, a lumberjack has claimed.

Walter Renwick was arrested on Friday after the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree was chopped down, The Sun reports.

But the 69-year-old, who has been released on bail, insists he’s “f***ing innocent” as the hunt for the suspect enters day five.

Speaking of the September 27 felling, Renwick said: “Trees have their own DNA 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 a full moon so it would have been well lit and the wind would have meant there was barely any sound.”

'Sycamore Gap' tree on Hadrian's Wall now lies on the ground, leaving behind only a stump in the spot it once proudly stood in northeast of Haltwhistle, England. Picture: Getty Images.

Walter Renwick insists he's 'f***ing innocent' after being arrested over the tree felling. Picture: The Sun/News Licensing/Mega

Through wood fibre testing – often used to combat illegal logging – scientists can match logs, boards, and sawdust to their tree of origin.

The microscopic examination – which is not technically a DNA test – is a complex procedure and can involve chemical testing to compare samples, experts at American standards-testing body ANSI say.

The test may be able to link a chainsaw containing sawdust residue to the Sycamore Gap tree, and ultimately identify a culprit.

The toppling of the 70ft timber – which appeared in Kevin Costner’s 1991 hit Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – sparked fury across Britain.

The National Trust, who run the UNESCO World Heritage Site where the tree stood at Hadrian’s Wall, said they were “saddened” by the act of vandalism.

A spokesperson said: “The site, where the tree was felled, is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a globally important archaeological setting with UNESCO World Heritage designation.

“The tree would have been protected by virtue of these designations.

“The felling of the tree is subject to an ongoing police investigation and we are therefore unable to comment further at this time.”

Forensic investigators from Northumberland Police were later spotted examining the Sycamore Gap tree stump on Friday.

The tree, which was felled in the dead of night, was one of the UK's most photographed and appeared in the 1991 Kevin Costner film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves. Picture: Getty.

Cops then descended on Renwick’s Plankey Mill farm in Northumberland, close to the scene of the crime.

They conducted a two-day search of the isolated plot, where they found a massive chainsaw in an outbuilding.

It was added to dozens more evidence bags taken from the former campsite.

Renwick was taken into custody for questioning but later released, he was spotted on Sunday wandering around shirtless on his farm.

One of the UK's most photographed trees has been "deliberately felled," the authority responsible for the local National Park said on September 28, 2023. Picture: AFP.

Hours earlier, he told The Sun: “You’ve got the wrong feller.”

The pensioner went on: “I’m a former lumberjack and I’ve just been kicked off my property so I can see why people have pointed the finger.

“My brother came down to make sure I hadn’t been arrested as he had heard a rumour that I had cut it down. I didn’t do it.”

Renwick is understood to have been evicted by the property’s owners on Thursday and is now living in a nearby camper van.

A 16-year-old suspect has also been bailed.

No-one has been charged with the felling, though theories of its chopping down range from a TikTok stunt to a National Trust worker. Police are keeping an open mind as to the motive of the felling.