LONDON — A cherished icon that stood for over a century, the Sycamore Gap tree, located along the historic Hadrian’s Wall in Northern England, was reduced to timber in less than three minutes. Described as an “act of deliberate and mindless criminal damage,” this sudden transformation has now become the focal point of a high-profile legal case. On the opening day of the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, prosecutors unveiled a haunting video capturing the demise of the famed tree which was felled on September 28, 2023, in Northumberland National Park. The footage revealed a lone silhouette operating a chainsaw as the tree succumbed, collapsing with a spine-chilling crack onto the enduring stone wall.
The tree’s downfall, kept from public view until now, incited a considerable outcry across Britain. Prosecutors argue that the two accused men, charged with the tree’s destruction, left behind a wealth of evidence. This includes digital fingerprints through metadata and pictures linked to the Sycamore Gap site, further evidenced by an apparent confession following the uproar which echoed globally.
Daniel Graham, aged 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, deny charges of criminal damage. The value of the sacred tree is estimated over 620,000 pounds (close to $830,000), with repairs to the ancient wall assessed at approximately 1,100 pounds (nearly $1,500). While the tree might not have been Britain’s oldest or most enormous, its location along the historic Roman barrier—a fortification established by Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 122—immensely increased its allure. Its fame was further bolstered by its appearance in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” adding to its appeal for tourists, landscape photographers, and social media enthusiasts alike.
As legal proceedings unfold, Graham and Carruthers’ friendship, once bonded over mutual interests such as chainsaw expertise, now shows signs of irreparability. Graham distances himself from the event, claiming ignorance over the use of his phone and vehicle, and pointing fingers instead at Carruthers and another man. Carruthers maintains his innocence, denying any involvement or presence during the crime. “Each of them now seems to be trying to blame the other,” stated the prosecutor. “That once close friendship has seemingly completely unraveled, perhaps as the public revulsion at their behavior became clear to them.”
While defense attorneys have yet to present their case, the trial, expected to last about two weeks, is dominated by prosecutors’ narrative of one suspect operating the chainsaw and the other capturing the act on Graham’s phone. Following the deed, they allegedly shared an intimate moment in Graham’s Range Rover, swapping texts, with Carruthers reportedly saying, “I’ve got a better video than that,” referencing a family video.
As news of the felled tree gripped the nation, the defendants allegedly exchanged gleeful messages. “I think it’s gonna go wild,” Carruthers supposedly told Graham. “It’s gone viral. It is worldwide,” Graham replied. Prosecutor Richard Wright described their behavior as reveling in their notoriety rather than remorseful.
The investigation unearthed several intriguing but missing elements, including a wood wedge taken as a presumed “trophy.” Furthermore, although chainsaws were discovered in the possession of both men, the chainsaw used remains unidentified. Despite this, Wright stressed that all parties involved would face culpability for the damage. “We do not need to do so,” he noted. “Any person who intentionally assisted, encouraged or caused the damage to happen is as guilty as the person who actually used the chainsaw. These men were in it together from first to last.”