Why would anybody do this?

[Workingman]

He should be made to plant a tree every mile for ten miles each side of the site.
And then come back every month to make msure they are growing. This to be done no matter what the weater is.
And no publicity. If he gets wet that is his problem.

I quite like that idea, Cruiser.

[Gal2]

Here in the North East it’s absolutely devastating that anyone would do this. It’s been on our local news for the past two days as the lead story, both BBC and ITV covered it with reporters there. It’s actually along Hadrians Wall and under dark skies so an iconic sight for those walking the wall.

Many were in tears yesterday after the despicable act.

[Kaz]

It is despicable Gal, I'm so sad about it Why anyone would do such a thing beats me, they certainly will have made themselves extremely unpopular in their own area if they're local

[Workingman]

I see that a 60 year old man has now been arrested as well as the 16 year old.

It had to be. Nobody drags a chainsaw miles into the middle of nowhere. The lad had to have been driven there and somebody must have seen the vehicle - dashcam footage?

I have to say that it is good their names have not been released. In today's society they would not be safe on the streets.

[TheOstrich]

A 60yo man. As for motive, I just wonder - maybe his marriage has just bust up, and that tree was where he originally proposed to his now-ex?

[Workingman]

So go down the pub, have a few beers and chat to the barmaid. Don't take a kid with a chainsaw to chop down a tree.

And what motivated the 16 year old? Did he get some thumbs down on XFace?

Bless.