One of the most photographed trees in the United Kingdom, located near Hadrian’s Wall in the north-east of England, was “deliberately felled”, denounced Thursday the manager of the national park where it was planted. “The Northumberland National Park Authority can confirm that, unfortunately, the famous Sycamore Gap tree fell overnight,” it said in a statement. “We have reason to believe that he was deliberately shot,” she added.

Located near the Roman-era wall erected to prevent the invasion of barbarian hordes, this majestic maple tree in a spectacular landscape appeared on film in Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood in 1991. The trunk and crown of the ” tree of the year” 2016 lie next to the stump in the photos published by the British press. Local police have announced the launch of an investigation and are working to determine whether a criminal offense has been committed.

Local MP Mary Foy has denounced a “stupid” and “heartbreaking” act of vandalism of a North East landmark. “Very sad day for the iconic Sycamore Gap, which will bring pain to so many people across the country, and even the world,” she added. On the social network