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10h ago

Trial Begins for Two Men Accused of Felling Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers face criminal damage charges at Newcastle Crown Court for the destruction of the 300-year-old landmark and damage to Hadrian's Wall.

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The Sycamore Gap tree beside Hadrian’s Wall was felled in September 2023
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Overview

  • The trial of Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, accused of felling the Sycamore Gap tree, began on April 28, 2025, at Newcastle Crown Court.
  • The defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges of causing over £622,000 in damage to the tree and £1,144 to Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • The Sycamore Gap tree, a 300-year-old cultural symbol featured in the 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,' was felled overnight in September 2023, sparking national outrage and grief.
  • Efforts to preserve the tree's legacy include propagating saplings, gifting one to King Charles, and displaying part of the trunk at The Sill visitor center in Northumberland.
  • Shoots have begun emerging from the tree's stump, offering hope for regrowth as the community continues to seek closure and answers regarding the act of vandalism.