Two Men Convicted of 2023 Felling Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree in Northern England in Act of Vandalism
- Victor Nwoko
- May 9
- 2 min read
Two men have been found guilty of cutting down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in northern England, an act of vandalism that drew widespread condemnation across the United Kingdom and beyond. The destruction of the cherished tree, located along the ancient Hadrian’s Wall, was described as a senseless act that ended a natural legacy beloved for generations.
Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were each convicted by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court on two counts of criminal damage — one for destroying the tree and the other for damaging the section of Hadrian’s Wall onto which the tree was felled. The jury returned their verdict after roughly four hours of deliberation on Thursday and less than 30 minutes on Friday morning.
The Sycamore Gap tree, though not Britain’s largest or oldest, held special cultural and emotional value due to its dramatic placement between two hills along the Roman-era wall built in A.D. 122 by Emperor Hadrian. The tree gained global recognition after appearing in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and had long been a destination for tourists, photographers, and nature lovers.
“For over a century, Sycamore Gap has been an iconic natural landmark in the northeast of England, bringing immeasurable joy to those visiting the area,” said Gale Gilchrist, chief prosecutor for the region. “In just under three minutes, Graham and Carruthers ended its historic legacy in a deliberate and mindless act of destruction.”
Neither defendant showed emotion as the guilty verdicts were read. Sentencing is set for July 15.
During the trial, both men denied responsibility for cutting down the tree, though former friends Graham and Carruthers gave conflicting accounts. Graham attempted to blame Carruthers, but prosecutors presented damning evidence, including a video from Graham’s mobile phone that showed the tree being cut down and GPS data confirming his Range Rover was in the vicinity on the night of the crime — September 28, 2023, during a severe storm.
Text and voice messages exchanged between the two men in the aftermath of the incident captured them joking about the destruction, just as news of the fallen tree was making headlines worldwide.
Prosecutor Richard Wright told jurors the men had carried out the act “for a bit of a laugh,” dismissing the seriousness of their actions as “the arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery.” The tree was valued at more than £620,000 (approximately $830,000), while the damage to the historic Hadrian’s Wall was estimated at around £1,100 (nearly $1,500).
The conviction brings a measure of justice for an act many considered an assault on Britain’s natural and historical heritage.
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