“It’s so grim, I felt sick, as so many people did, when I saw
it,” says writer and environmentalist Prof Robert McFarlane.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme earlier , he explained the
symbolism of the iconic tree: “It was a film star, it was a tree that ashes
were scattered under, marriages were made under it, it was a shelter for tired
walkers.”

He said the tree’s felling felt part of a more “hostile”
reaction to the living world, pointing out that it was chopped down on the eve
of the State
of Nature report‘s publication – an audit of how things are faring
for the living world in the UK.

“Nature is under attack and has been for a long time in these
islands,” he said, adding: “We have not looked after our woods well.”

But he added: “When you lose something like this, what a response
it’s pulled out – grief, poems, paintings, drawings, photographs, stories and
memories.

“The question is how do we now use that strength of feeling and
turn it to the good?”

McFarlane said the focus shouldn’t be on the offender but on culture.

“This is one
tree. We have a tendency as a nation to profoundly sentimental about our
wildlife and our nature and much less good at affording it the protection it
needs.”