Sycamore tree drilled and injected with mystery oil

The trunk of the tree was drilled and an unknown oily substance injected inside

A reward for information has been offered after a sycamore tree in Derbyshire was injected with a mysterious oily substance.

The 70-year-old tree at Hogshaw Woods in Buxton was found to have been drilled and injected on 12 August.

Charity Buxton Civic Association, which manages the site, said the tree was protected by a tree preservation order and that both Derbyshire Police and Derbyshire County Council were investigating.

It has offered a £500 reward to anyone who can provide information that leads to the prosecution of the culprit.

Buxton Civic Association told the BBC the tree was showing signs of physical distress and disease, and will likely have to be felled this autumn.

It drew parallels between the incident and the felling of Northumberland's famous Sycamore Gap tree in 2023, and described the attack as "deeply disturbing" and "malicious".

The tree was healthy but now shows signs of distress and disease

Woodland manager Harriet Saltis said it was "a premeditated act of environmental vandalism" on an otherwise healthy specimen.

She said: "It impacts not only the wildlife that depends on this tree, but also the charity's ability to manage the woodlands for the community during already challenging economic times."

The charity's chief executive officer Dave Green said: "When the Sycamore Gap tree was felled, there was national outrage - because people understand that once a tree of such age and stature is lost, it can never be replaced in our lifetime.

"This malicious vandalism in Buxton is no less serious."