In September 2023, as autumn storms began to intensify in the United Kingdom, two men devised a plan to bring down one of England’s cherished trees. Daniel Graham messaged Adam Carruthers with a suggestion to prepare their chainsaws, ostensibly to clear storm-felled trees. However, the famous Sycamore Gap tree wasn’t toppled by natural forces; it was felled by Graham and Carruthers, as determined by a jury on a recent Friday.
The duo faced two counts each of criminal damage at the Newcastle Crown Court. The jury spent over five hours deliberating their verdict after being presented with significant digital evidence that placed the pair at the location when the tree was cut down. This evidence captured them discussing the incident as its story went viral the following day.
A pivotal piece of evidence was a grainy video from Graham’s phone, capturing the act on a stormy night. The footage showed a figure beneath the tree, contending with its trunk to the background noise of a chainsaw. Metadata confirmed this happened at the Sycamore Gap tree site in Northumberland National Park. Further data revealed Graham’s Range Rover was present there as well.
Although not the largest or oldest, the Sycamore Gap tree was loved for its scenic placement between two hills by Hadrian’s Wall, a historic Roman landmark. The tree gained worldwide recognition after featuring in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film, “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” drawing tourists and enthusiasts alike.
Gale Gilchrist, the regional chief prosecutor, stated, “For over a century, Sycamore Gap has been an iconic natural landmark in the northeast of England,” noting that the tree’s historic legacy was ended by Graham and Carruthers in a deliberate act of destruction.
The convicted men, Graham with a small construction venture and Carruthers, a mechanic, remained placid as their verdict was declared. Justice Christina Lambert ordered their detention until sentencing, set for July 15, warning they might face significant imprisonment, as the maximum penalty for criminal damage is 10 years.
During the trial, both men claimed innocence, stating they were at home during the incident. Graham alleged that Carruthers, who was fixated on the tree, had framed him by taking his vehicle and phone. Carruthers likened the reactions to the event as overly dramatic, while his lawyer accused Graham of fabricating a story out of desperation.
Prosecutor Richard Wright argued the duo planned the crime together, citing evidence of Carruthers surveying the area earlier that day. Wright couldn’t explicitly state who operated the chainsaw or filmed the event, but confirmed only Graham and Carruthers held the video on their devices.
After the event, Graham’s vehicle journeyed back to Carlisle, roughly 40 minutes away. Carruthers then received a video from his partner, prompting him to respond with, “I’ve got a better video than that,” indicating the pair was aware of the tree’s downfall before the public.
The next day, as news of the felled tree spread, the pair exchanged excited messages. “It’s gone viral. It is worldwide,” Graham remarked. Carruthers shared a Facebook critique of the act, reveling in their success and expressing derision toward the criticism.
Officials never recovered the chainsaw used, though both men had access to such equipment. They also failed to locate a wedge cut from the tree trunk that would have directed its fall. Nonetheless, a piece of wood suspected to be the wedge was found in Graham’s vehicle, and a forensic botanist testified it closely matched the missing piece, suggesting it was retained as a trophy.
Prosecutors didn’t provide a clear motive for the incident, describing it as mere vandalism. Wright concluded the men likely sought thrill or amusement, not foreseeing the significant backlash their actions would provoke. Initially appraised at over £620,000 ($830,000), the valuation of the tree and related damages are currently being reassessed, though they still potentially rank at the top harm category for sentencing.