Men Found Guilty of Felling Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree
Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers have been convicted for chopping down the famous Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland — a stunt that stunned the nation. The landmark, 150 years old and worth £622,000, was felled in a brazen act of vandalism.
Stormy Night Crime Caught on Camera
The pair drove 30 miles from Cumbria to Northumberland on the wild night of 27 September 2023. Armed with a chainsaw, they took under three minutes to bring down the towering tree that featured in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Newcastle Crown Court sentenced them on Friday, 9 May 2025, for criminal damage, including £1,114 worth of harm to Hadrian’s Wall.
Prosecutor Richard Wright KC slammed it as “a mindless and deliberate destruction of heritage.” Evidence included a photo from Graham’s phone showing a wood chunk and the offending chainsaw. Court footage showed the tree’s demise, linked directly to Graham’s iPhone. Voice notes captured Graham bragging: “It’s going to go wild.”
National Outrage Over Loss of Beloved Landmark
The Sycamore Gap tree was more than a tree; it symbolised hope, memories, and family moments. It served as the backdrop for wedding proposals and heartfelt memorials. Northumbria Police Superintendent Kevin Waring called the act “unfathomable” and said,
“There is no justification for what they did.”
Though Graham and Carruthers denied the charges, a jury found them unanimously guilty. Sentencing is scheduled for 15 July.
Legacy Lives On Despite Devastation
The tree may be gone, but its spirit lives on. The National Trust has saved twigs, seeds, and saplings. Forty-nine saplings will be planted nationwide as “trees of hope”. The largest surviving piece will be displayed at the National Landscape Discovery Centre later this year.
Northumberland National Park CEO Tony Gates reflected on the loss:
“The enormity of the loss can’t be overstated. This place meant so much to so many people — emotionally and spiritually.”
