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

[Social Media]

 

"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

📺 Sky 501 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/X0A5UcGVqB

— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 9, 2025

 

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]

7 hours ago, Tug said:

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 😞 

 

Didn't see you wringing hands or cluthcing pearls for Brits on the Huw Edwards thread...

 

Kids? Trees? 

 

 

[sikishrory]

When you look in someones eyes and see nobody is home. That's what I see in the picture.

[josephbloggs]

15 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Do you think that this issue should be addressed or kept as it is ?

 

"Official figures, external show that offenders from ethnic minorities consistently get longer sentences than white offenders for indictable offences."

 

Wooooooooah, I agree with Nick on something! 

[josephbloggs]

Quote

Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32.....

 

So they're really saying this guy is either 39 or 32? 62 more like.

 

[Nick Carter icp]

4 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

So they're really saying this guy is either 39 or 32? 62 more like.

 

 

   Is that an expensive designer haircut from a hairdressers in a shopping mall ?

[metisdead]

Off topic deflection posts and replies about grooming and raping children have been removed as this topic is about:

 

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

[zepplin]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

"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

📺 Sky 501 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/X0A5UcGVqB

— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 9, 2025

 

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.

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gqf9ZZoXkAAQXb5?format=jpg&name=900x900

 

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.

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GMbW_WnXEAAkzCc?format=png&name=small

 

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

 

 

What a pair of absolute bellends! Britain had talent, NOT , hope they get 5 years each in jail!

[BangkokReady]

It's an interesting case, as, on some level, it's all kind of subjective.  The tree is there, some people like it, now the tree is not there, and no doubt some people like that too.  Some people might claim that vandalism and destruction of property is in some way a creative expression of something.

[BLMFem]

6 minutes ago, zepplin said:

What a pair of absolute bellends! Britain had talent, NOT , hope they get 5 years each in jail!

I agree. Mindless stupidity.

 

PS. "<deleted>" is just one of a staggering number of great British insults. They don't call you Great Britain for nothing!😄

[Nick Carter icp]

6 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

I  Some people might claim that vandalism and destruction of property is in some way a creative expression of something.

 

   No one has claimed that though 

[BLMFem]

3 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

It's an interesting case, as, on some level, it's all kind of subjective.  The tree is there, some people like it, now the tree is not there, and no doubt some people like that too.  Some people might claim that vandalism and destruction of property is in some way a creative expression of something.

Other than pathetic trolls I highly doubt that anyone like that the tree is gone, as it was in the way of no one and nothing. But yes, I'm sure there are some people who think "vandalism and destruction of property is in some way a creative expression of something", like tagging for instance.

Luckily, the law doesn't see it that way and that's all that matters.

[BangkokReady]

4 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

No one has claimed that though 

 

Did I say that they had?  How could you possibly know this anyway?

[BangkokReady]

3 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

the law doesn't see it that way and that's all that matters

 

...to you.  🙄

[TorquayFan]

What a gruesome pair - yes 5 years about right. Their actions were moronic!

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Did I say that they had?  How could you possibly know this anyway?

 

   Has anyone claimed that the  felling of the tree was an artistic expression ?

[BangkokReady]

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Has anyone claimed that the  felling of the tree was an artistic expression ?

 

Why wouldn't it be?

[BLMFem]

8 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

...to you.  🙄

No, to them.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Why wouldn't it be?

 

Because it would be a stupid opinion to have and if they voiced that opinion in public, they would be ridiculed 

[BangkokReady]

4 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

No, to them.

 

It's you opinion, so it's to you.

[BangkokReady]

5 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Because it would be a stupid opinion to have

 

Why?

[emptypockets]

How did they determine a value exceeding 620,000 damage to the tree?

Doubt any piece of wood is worth that much.

[BangkokReady]

3 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

How did they determine a value exceeding 620,000 damage to the tree?

Doubt any piece of wood is worth that much.

 

It damaged the wall as well.

[emptypockets]

1 minute ago, BangkokReady said:

 

It damaged the wall as well.

The OP said more than 1000 to the wall and 620,000 to the tree.

I could understand if it was the other way around. Unless that are counting the economic value of the tree such tourism value etc.

[BangkokReady]

43 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

The OP said more than 1000 to the wall and 620,000 to the tree.

I could understand if it was the other way around. Unless that are counting the economic value of the tree such tourism value etc.

 

Yes.  The tree was probably free, plus could be replaced by another tree for a low cost.

 

There's a thing called "loss of amenity"* which someone can claim damages for following an injury, in additional to something like loss of income, as you point out.  Interesting to see it applied to a tree.

 

*"the loss in your quality of life and lifestyle changes that you have had to endure as a result of your injuries"

[Thingamabob]

10 hours ago, Tug said:

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 😞 

Well said. It is not only the wanton felling of a 150 year old Sycamore tree that has upset so many people, but also the loss of it's stunning location by Hadrian's wall.

[RayC]

1 hour ago, BangkokReady said:

It's an interesting case, as, on some level, it's all kind of subjective.  The tree is there, some people like it, now the tree is not there, and no doubt some people like that too.  Some people might claim that vandalism and destruction of property is in some way a creative expression of something.

 

Hardly a credible defence.

 

The fact that I consider (most) brutalist architecture to be an eyesore doesn't permit me to hire a crane and wrecking ball and destroy some South London housing estates.

[Red Forever]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Didn't see you wringing hands or cluthcing pearls for Brits on the Huw Edwards thread...

 

Kids? Trees? 

 

 

Jeez “Eraser” Jonny you need to go have a lie down.

In your zeal to diss anyone who shows partiality to “leftie woke “ politics you pounce with your pathetic whataboutery.

You weave into a report on a couple of idiots felling a landmark tree a reference to a newsreader accessing child porn!

You need help.

[BangkokReady]

11 minutes ago, RayC said:

Hardly a credible defence.

 

The fact that I consider (most) brutalist architecture to be an eyesore doesn't permit me to hire a crane and wrecking ball and destroy some South London housing estates.

 

Who is saying that it is any kind of defence?