- Professor Patricia Wiltshire has been consulted in a number of high profile cases
A forensic ecologist claims she could have solved the mystery of the Sycamore Gap felling by examining a ‘halo of pollen’ around the tree to help track down vandals.
Professor Patricia Wiltshire, known as ‘Pollen Pat’ to Met detectives, has helped police in more than 300 criminal investigations since 1994, by examining soil or plant samples taken from crime scenes.
She has been consulted in a number of high profile cases including the killings of Sarah Payne, Milly Dowler and the Soham murders committed by Ian Huntley.
Last year her services were recommended to police investigating the mystery of the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree which was chopped down in the middle of the night. But she says she wasn’t called to investigate.
Patricia Wiltshire departs from the Old Bailey after giving evidence in the trial of Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr
An aerial view shows the felled Sycamore Gap tree, along Hadrian’s Wall, near Hexham
Speaking to The Times, Ms Wiltshire said she could have traced the culprit in this case and said: ‘All I would have needed to do was take [a suspect’s] shoes and some samples from the scene.
‘Sycamore pollen doesn’t go very far. There would still be a halo of pollen around the tree. The person or people responsible would have got it on them.’
The world famous tree, located next to Hadrian’s Wall, appeared in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and was a much-loved tourist destination before it was chopped down in an ‘act of vandalism’.
The iconic tree was thought to be among the most photographed in the world – and when it was mysteriously chopped down it caused national outrage.
In November two men aged in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and were bailed.
In December Walter Renwick, 69, and a 16-year-old boy who can not be named for legal reasons were arrested separately in connection with the felling, but police said they would face no further action.
The Sycamore Gap tree was one of the most photographed in the country
Northumberland National Park said the largest section of the felled tree would go on display at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, a tourist attraction close to Sycamore Gap, in September.
The authority said it had received 2,000 ‘heartfelt’ messages from people from all around the world expressing sorrow after the tree was cut down in September last year.
Northumberland National Park has been working with the National Trust to decide what to do with the tree.
Plans are still under consideration to further preserve its legacy.
However, there will not be another intervention at the site of the tree for now as authorities plan to leave the stump alone in the hope it will regrow in time.
In December, the National Trust, as guardians of the tree, shared that they are closely monitoring the seeds and material collected from the original tree – which are being cared for at the charity’s specialist plant conservation centre.
Northumberland National Park said it has been taking advice from specialists in wood preservation after the tree was felled and the timber has been treated and stored safely to be used by artists in the future.
