Two men were charged this afternoon in connection with the destruction of the historic Sycamore Gap tree.
Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, were today charged with criminal damage after felling the iconic tree in September last year.
They have also been charged with causing criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall, which sits directly next to the tree, and will appear at Northumberland South East Magistrates’ Court on May 15.
Sycamore Gap, located in Northumberland, is one of the most photographed trees in the UK and featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman.
It was found shot down on September 28, with its upper part facing the historic Roman barrier, after being the target of a “malicious act of vandalism” overnight.
The iconic tree, believed to be 300 years old, was found felled last year.
Walkers stop to look at the tree next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland after it was cut down in September last year.
Northumbria Police officers arrive at the scene at Sycamore Gap to investigate
SSpecialist prosecutor for the CPS North East Complex Case Unit, Gary Fothergill, announced: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized Northumbria Police to charge Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers with causing criminal damage after the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree last September.
“They have also been charged with causing criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall and will appear before Northumberland South East Magistrates’ Court on May 15, 2024.
“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the accused are active and that they are entitled to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there are no reports, comments or sharing of information online that could in any way undermine these proceedings.”
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney, lead investigating officer in the case, said: “An investigation has been ongoing since the Sycamore Gap tree was felled.
“As a result of these investigations, two men have been charged.
“We recognize the strength of feeling in the local community and beyond that the falls have caused, but we remind people to avoid speculation, including online, which could impact the ongoing case.”
The two men were initially arrested last October and have been on bail since then, the Sun reports.
Last September, walkers first noticed that part of the iconic tree appeared to have been marked with white paint, indicating that someone may have cut it down with a chainsaw.
Alison Hawkins, who lives in Liverpool, was one of the first people there to post a photo on Facebook with the caption: “A horrible moment for everyone who walks Hadrian’s Wall.” The Sycamore Gap tree is gone! This is not the storm that an absolute ******* brought down!!’
Ms Hawkins, who was on her fourth day walking Hadrian’s Wall, said she was “in tears” when she discovered the tree had been cut down.
She said: “At first we thought it was because of the storm, but then we saw a national park ranger.
“He said it had been cut and there was paint around the cut section, so he was a professional who knew where they were going to cut.”
“It was a real shock. It’s basically the iconic image that everyone wants to see. You can forgive nature for doing this, but you cannot forgive this.
Officers urged people not to go to the scene while they investigated the area in September.
Part of the tree appeared to have been marked with white paint, indicating that someone may have cut it down with a chainsaw.
The Sycamore Gap featured in the 1991 blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (pictured) starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman
Following the despicable act, a spokesperson for the Northumberland National Park Authority said: “The Northumberland National Park Authority can confirm that, unfortunately, the famous Sycamore Gap tree fell overnight . We have reason to believe he was deliberately shot.
“We are working with relevant agencies and partners interested in this iconic North East landmark and will release more details once they become known.”
They added: “It is currently unclear whether the tree is a casualty of Storm Agnes or whether this was a deliberate act – although photos indicate a clean, straight cut.”
Matt Brown, 37, of the nearby Twice Brewed Brew Company, was one of the first on the scene.
Mr Brown said: “I was brewing when I heard a rumor that the Sycamore Gap tree had been cut down and I ran over to see what had happened.
“It was a shock to see it there, this tree is a true icon and for those of us who were born in this area it really means something.
“He was definitely cut down with a chainsaw – and a big one. It looks like it was cut in one fell swoop, meaning the blade must have been about two meters long.
“This was done overnight and appears to be a thoughtful and planned act. But why anyone would choose to do such a thing is beyond me.
“There cannot be anyone who has such a problem with this particular tree that they walk a mile at night to go and saw it, it is an act of malice but can only be for the sake of malice.”
“The tree is visible from the old military road that passes, but to reach it you have to climb barbed wire and walk a kilometer and a half through marshy terrain.
“I also noticed that the trunk had been marked where the cut was going to be made.
“He’s someone who knows how to cut down trees and makes sure they fall in the right direction, but it’s hard to understand why anyone would do that.”
“Yesterday I was talking to a Canadian lady who had come to this location specifically to see the Sycamore Gap tree. It’s an icon and something particularly special for the brewery.
“Our signature beer is called Sycamore Gap and the tree is our logo. It’s really hard to believe this happened.
The Sycamore Gap is pictured after being felled in Northumberland
The Sycamore Gap was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016.
Walkers and locals said it was ‘unforgivable’ if the tree was deliberately vandalized
People look at the tree at Sycamore Gap next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland
A walker with a flower kneels to look at the felled tree on September 28, 2023
The Sycamore Gap was voted English Tree of the Year in 2016 at the Woodland Trust awards and is much loved by people all over the world.
North Tyne and Metro Mayor Jamie Driscoll visited the devastated site and said: “This tree is iconic. You can see love stones on the ground where people from the past proposed to their partners.
“Other people have had their ashes scattered here. It’s part of our culture. I have family in North America and when they come across us, we take them here.
“It’s not a felled tree. This is an insult to the people of Northumberland. If you look at the damage, you realize it was someone with a 28-inch chainsaw who knew what they were doing.
“I received a lot of messages from unhappy people. I’m normally a measured man but I’m very angry about this.
“I heard people were in tears. It’s a truly special place for the local people.
Mr Driscoll now hopes the culprit will go to the police.
“It’s a really healthy tree and someone knows who did this,” he added. “If they have any decency, they should contact the police.
“Hadrian’s Wall has been there for almost 2,000 years, so we will work with the authorities to find something that is suitable.”
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