Two men stand trial: the fall of England's most famous tree

Two men stand trial: the fall of England's most famous tree

In an ignoble crime that shocked the UK, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were convicted of illegally felling the famous Sycamore Gap Tree. This 100-year-old maple tree was not only a popular photo opportunity, but also a cultural symbol that became known worldwide through its appearance in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” starring Kevin Costner. The two men used a chainsaw to fell the iconic tree on the night of September 27th to 28th, 2023, which could now land them up to 10 years in prison, reports La République des Pyrénées.

As La République des Pyrénées further reports, Graham and Carruthers later went to a parking lot to cut down the tree and filmed each other as they did so. The next day, they enjoyed media coverage of their shocking act and sent videos to each other. During the trial, Carruthers expressed surprise at the strong emotional reaction to the tree's destruction, describing it as "just a tree." Her theory of blame during the trial was not well received; the jury viewed videos documenting the felling, and additional evidence such as Graham's cell phone and his car near the crime scene were presented.

The Cultural Significance of the Sycamore Gap Tree

The Sycamore Gap Tree was more than just a tree. It was a venue for weddings and a popular place for family photos. In 2016 it was voted English Tree of the Year. Following the incident, Historic England said the vandalism had caused sadness and anger across the country. The tree was also located near Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose integrity was also compromised by the felling of the tree.

To preserve the heritage of the symbol, the National Trust has announced that the seeds from the felled tree will provide 49 young plants to support the Trees of Hope initiative. Each plant symbolically represents one foot at the height of the felled tree. People across the UK are invited to apply for one of these seedlings for public spaces that have an emotional connection to the community. Loud National Trust New shoots from the tree stump were also documented - a sign of natural resilience and hope.

A lasting legacy

The loss of the Sycamore Gap Tree is painful, but not without positive aftereffects. Part of the trunk has already been converted into a work of art by artist Charlie Whinney, which is on display at the Northumberland National Park visitor center. This work of art includes a trunk over two meters high and three oak benches decorated with poetic words. It is meant to commemorate the cultural and emotional significance of the felled tree.

The events surrounding the felling of the Sycamore Gap Tree also raise questions about tree protection. In Germany there are legal regulations that regulate the removal or damage of protected trees. These protection regulations not only apply to old trees, but are also intended to help preserve the natural heritage, such as it NABU describes. Similar regulations are being discussed in the UK to prevent future incidents of this type and to raise awareness of the importance of trees in our landscape.