Fury as vandals sabotage iconic sycamore tree in revenge attack following right to roam row on private beach

The owner of an iconic sycamore tree is furious after vandals sawed through the tree following a dispute over the right to roam on the private beach it stood on.

The elderly trees tropical-like setting at the remote privately owned cove near Weymouth, Dorset, made it popular with visitors looking for the perfect photo spot.

But its owners returned from a 10-day holiday last week to find a mystery saboteur had fatally wounded their beloved tree by severing it with a saw.

Although it was still standing the specimen was condemned by a tree surgeon and had to be cut down for safety reasons.

The owner of the land David Askew believes it was attacked in connection with a long-running dispute he has been having with the council surrounding an access footpath on his land which connects to the beach.

The elderly trees tropical-like setting at the remote privately owned cove near Weymouth, Dorset, made it popular with visitors looking for the perfect photo spot

But its owners returned from a 10-day holiday last week to find a mystery saboteur had fatally wounded their beloved tree by severing it with a saw

Although it was still standing the specimen was condemned by a tree surgeon and had to be cut down for safety reasons

The owner of the land David Askew believes it was attacked in connection with a long-running dispute he has been having with the council on an access footpath on his land

He lives in a cliff-top property above Castle Cove Beach and reported the act of criminal damage to Dorset Police which has launched an investigation.

The secluded beach sits in the shadow of Sandsfoot Castle, an artillery fort built in 1541 by Henry VIII. It has been a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1987.

Mr Askew said: Sadly the most picturesque tree on the cove has fallen victim to the actions of a mindless vandal.

Locals and holidaymakers have loved having their photos taken standing next to it for many, many years.

We cant believe that someone has been so stupid. Surely someone must have heard or seen something.

Mr Askew has recently been embroiled in a dispute over access to a footpath on their land.

The right of way was closed by the local authority in 2001 due to safety concerns following a series of landslips.

Castle Cove is the home of luxury houses and the beach has been a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1987

The secluded beach sits in the shadow of Sandsfoot Castle, an artillery fort built in 1541 by Henry VIII

A public access footpath on Mr Mr Askews land which leads down to the beach

Mr Askew has recently been embroiled in a dispute over access to a footpath on their land

The tree on Castle Cove beach was critically damaged by the vandal

Pictured: The right of way was closed by the local authority in 2001 due to safety concerns following a series of landslips

The tree was ruined by a vandal with a saw, causing it to be cut down for safety reasons

There have been calls by members of the public to reopen it in recent years, against Mr Askews wishes.

In February officials at Dorset Council stated they believed the path was safe and work was scheduled to clear masses of vegetation to reinstate it.

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But Mr Askew disagreed with the move, saying the path was still at risk of landslips.

Then in March his prediction came true and a large landslip left the walkway completely blocked off.

Mr Askew, 65, believes that the damage to the tree is linked to the dispute.

He said: The tree was so badly damaged it needed to be taken down as it was unsafe thanks to the damage caused by an idiot.

It isnt blocking anyones view or in the way of anything. It looks like it has sadly become a victim of a failed vanity project.

It is on the beach used by the general public, so we couldnt just leave it in the hope that it heals itself.

The famous Sycamore Gap tree next to Hadrians Wall in Northumberland was cut down in September 2023

The sycamore has a strong survival instinct so it may well sprout again from the trunk.

Second Sycamore Gap tree suspect denies chopping down famous landmark

The felling happened a year after the famous Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland was chopped down, an act which sparked a national outcry.

Two men charged with criminal damage over the felling of the tree will face trial in December. They have denied the charges.

It is said that what is left of the tree is showing signs of regrowth.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: We received a report at 11.23am on September 19 of criminal damage to a tree and fencing in Old Castle Road in Weymouth.

The damage was reported to have occurred sometime between September 7 and September 19.

Local officers have been made aware and no arrests have been made at this time.

What is a Sycamore tree?

Sycamore is native to central, eastern and southern Europe. It is thought to have been introduced to the UK by the Romans. However, other reports suggest it was introduced to the UK in the Tudor era around the 1500s.

More widespread planting occurred in the 1700s and the earliest reports of the species naturalising in the UK date from the mid-1800s.

The seed is extremely fertile, so sycamore has spread quickly across the UK and colonised many woodlands to the detriment of native species.

These broadleaf trees can grow to 35m and live for 400 years. The bark is dark pink-grey, and smooth when young, but becomes cracked and develops small plates with age. Twigs are pink-brown and hairless.

In ancient Greece, the sycamore was associated with the goddess Hera, queen of the gods and goddess of marriage and childbirth. The tree was also seen as a symbol of fertility and abundance.

In Christianity, sycamore is associated with the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, he called him down and invited himself to Zacchaeuss house. This story is often interpreted as a symbol of Gods love and forgiveness for all people, regardless of their social status or past sins.

Interestingly, the sycamore tree mentioned in the Gospels likely refers to a different tree altogether. It was most likely the Middle Eastern Ficus sycomorus, rather than Acer pseudoplatanus. This is a logical explanation since English translators of the Bible wouldnt have necessarily been familiar with Ficus sycomorus.

In addition to its mythological and religious significance, the sycamore tree has also been used in traditional crafts and customs. In Wales, sycamore trees were used to make love spoons - these are decoratively carved wooden spoons that were given as a romantic gesture.

In some parts of the UK, the winged seeds of the sycamore tree, known as helicopters, are used in flying competitions and model-making by children.

Source: The Woodland Trust