Newcastle, UK – April 30, 2025
Two men have gone on trial accused of cutting down one of the UK’s most treasured natural landmarks — the Sycamore Gap tree.
Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both from Cumbria, stand charged with criminal damage over the destruction of the 150-year-old tree beside Hadrian’s Wall.
The dramatic felling took place under the cover of darkness on September 28, 2023, sending shockwaves across the country.
The Sycamore Gap tree, known worldwide for its appearance in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, had stood as a cultural and historical icon for generations.
Shocking Video Evidence
Key to the prosecution’s case is a video recovered from Graham’s iPhone.
The 2-minute 41-second clip shows a silhouetted figure using a chainsaw to cut through the tree trunk. Just seconds later, the tree collapses.
Police enhanced the video to confirm the location was Sycamore Gap, and GPS metadata matched it to the scene.
CCTV footage also placed Graham’s Range Rover near the site at the time of the incident.
‘Mindless Vandalism’
Prosecutors describe the act as “mindless criminal damage,” not just to a beloved tree but also to Hadrian’s Wall — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Damage to the wall is estimated at £1,144, while the tree’s value has been placed at £622,191.
Investigators found incriminating evidence on Graham’s phone, including photos of a chainsaw and what appears to be a wedge of the felled tree in the boot of his car — possibly kept as a “trophy.”
Voice notes allegedly reveal the men boasting about the destruction.
Public Outrage and Cultural Loss
The felling of the tree sparked national outrage and mourning.
Tony Wilmott, senior archaeologist at Historic England, told the court the tree was “totemic” and a place of “collective memory” for countless visitors.
Local communities, conservationists, and nature lovers have all expressed devastation at the loss, calling it “an attack on the heart of the landscape.”
Trial Continues
Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial, which began on April 28, is expected to last around 10 days.
This case continues to capture national attention as the country awaits justice for one of its most iconic natural symbols.