Chainsaws and Silence: Two Men Convicted for Felling the Sycamore Gap Tree

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"Chainsaws and Silence: Two Men Convicted for Felling the Sycamore Gap Tree"

 

Two men have been found guilty of cutting down one of Britain’s most cherished natural landmarks—the Sycamore Gap tree, a 150-year-old icon nestled beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were convicted by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court of causing criminal damage exceeding £620,000 to the tree and more than £1,000 to the historic Roman wall.

Two men have been found guilty of cutting down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, which stood for over 150 years. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers caused more than £620,000 in damage.

Sky's @ShingiMararike has all the details.https://t.co/F0pYGUaLxN

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On the stormy night of 27 September 2023, the pair drove 30 miles from Cumbria, where they lived, to the remote site. In a matter of minutes, using chainsaws, they brought down the iconic sycamore in what prosecutors described as a “deliberate and mindless act of destruction.” Despite each denying the charges, the evidence—most damningly, a video recorded by Graham himself—led to their conviction.

 

 

The video, shot on Graham’s iPhone 13 and played in court, captures the whine of a chainsaw piercing the night, followed by the fall of the tree. Metadata from the footage confirmed its location at Sycamore Gap. Adding to the weight of the prosecution’s case were images on Graham’s phone, including one of a cut piece of the tree and a chainsaw—items the Crown suggested were kept as trophies. “This was perhaps a trophy taken from the scene to remind them of their actions, actions that they appear to have been revelling in,” said Richard Wright KC, prosecuting.

 

 

The jury also heard voice notes exchanged between the two men as media coverage of the felling exploded. In one, Graham told Carruthers: “Someone there has tagged like ITV News, BBC News, Sky News, like News News News,” adding, “I think it's going to go wild.” Another photo submitted as evidence showed them felling a different tree a month prior, suggesting a pattern of behaviour. The court also heard that Graham ran a groundworks company and Carruthers worked in property and mechanics, both with expertise in tree felling.

 

Throughout the trial, both men attempted to shift blame onto each other, but the jury concluded they acted together. The significance of the tree—a symbol in popular culture since its appearance in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and the site of countless personal memories—was a recurring theme. Judge Mrs Justice Lambert reminded jurors at the outset to set aside emotion in their deliberations.

 

Northumbria Police’s Superintendent Kevin Waring described the crime as a textbook case of “mindless vandalism,” adding: “They gave no explanation for why they targeted the tree, and there never could be a justifiable one.” Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth echoed the sentiment, calling the act “unfathomable” and highlighting the lack of remorse from the defendants.

 

Gale Gilchrist of the Crown Prosecution Service North East stated: “Graham and Carruthers took under three minutes to bring down an iconic landmark in a deliberate and mindless act of destruction.” She expressed hope that the convictions would provide “some measure of comfort” to the community.

 

The wider reaction has been one of collective mourning and a desire to preserve the tree’s legacy. Tony Gates, chief executive of the Northumberland National Parks Authority, said, “It just took a few days to sink in—I think because of the enormity of the loss. We knew how important that location was for many people at an emotional level, almost at a spiritual level.”

 

In an effort to keep that connection alive, the National Trust has safeguarded 49 saplings from the original tree. These will be planted across the UK in public spaces as “trees of hope,” allowing the Sycamore Gap to live on symbolically. Meanwhile, the largest preserved section of the felled tree is set to go on display at the National Landscape Discovery Centre later this year.

 

The iconic stump remains in place by Hadrian’s Wall, where fresh shoots have already begun to sprout—nature’s quiet defiance in the wake of human recklessness. Graham and Carruthers, who showed no visible reaction to the verdicts, are due to be sentenced in July.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Sky News  2025-05-10

 

 

[Tug]

How sad I’m sorry for you Brit’s that absolutely sucks it’s times like this I think they should bring back the stocks.a bit of public shaming seems appropriate.again sorry 😞 

[JonnyF]

Mindless. Anti social. Stupid.

 

But ultimately it was a tree. It's not like they systematically groomed and raped hundreds of children.

 

Unfortunately they are guilty of being in possession of a certain immutable characteristic that is frowned upon in modern Britain.

 

Expect an "unusually harsh" sentence. 

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

9 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Mindless. Anti social. Stupid.

 

But ultimately it was a tree. It's not like they systematically groomed and raped hundreds of children.

 

Unfortunately they are guilty of being in possession of a certain immutable characteristic that is frowned upon in modern Britain.

 

Expect an "unusually harsh" sentence. 

 

 

Jeez get some therapy Jonny, you just can’t help politicking with the rape of children.

Any thread no matter the subject is an excuse for to vomit your unhealthy fixation.

 

[JonnyF]

28 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Jeez get some therapy Jonny, you just can’t help politicking with the rape of children.

Any thread no matter the subject is an excuse for to vomit your unhealthy fixation.

 

 

Your latest Lucy Powell moment. 😀

 

I'm surprised you didn't mention dog whistles.

 

Maybe a good night's sleep would help?

[SunnyinBangrak]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Jeez get some therapy Jonny, you just can’t help politicking with the rape of children.

Any thread no matter the subject is an excuse for to vomit your unhealthy fixation.

 

It sets a benchmark for all sentencing to be compared too. When certain people got community service for raping kids, how long should someone get for chopping down a tree? I think you see the problem even though your politics does not allow you to admit it.