Two men are on trial: The case of the most famous tree of England

Two men are on trial: The case of the most famous tree of England

In an ignorant crime that the United Kingdom shaken, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were convicted of illegal cases of the famous “Sycamore Gap Tree”. This over 100 year old maple tree was not only a popular photo motif, but also a cultural symbol that became known worldwide through his appearance in the film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" from 1991 with Kevin Costner. With a chainsaw, the two men fell the iconic tree on the night from September 27th to September 28th, 2023, which could now bring them up to 10 years in prison, reports la république of Pyrénées .

such as "La République des Pyrénées", Graham and Carruthers later went to a parking space to fell the tree, and filmed each other. The next day they enjoyed media reporting about their shocking act and sent each other videos. During the process, Carruther was surprised by the strong emotional reaction to the destruction of the tree and described it as "only one tree". Your theory of blame during the procedure was not well received; The jury looked at videos that documented the precipitation and additional evidence such as Graham's cell phone and his car near the crime scene were presented.

The cultural meaning of the Sycamore Gap Tree

The Sycamore Gap Tree was more than just a tree. It was a location for weddings and a popular place for family photos. In 2016 he was elected to the English tree of the year. After the incident, the authority of Historic England expressed that vandalism triggered grief and anger across the country. The tree was also close to the Hadrian Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the integrity of which was also affected by the felling of the tree.

In order to protect the legacy of the symbol, the National Trust has announced that 49 young plants will be available from the seeds of the felled tree, which support the "Trees of Hope" initiative. Each plant symbolically stands for one foot at the level of the felled tree. People in the entire United Kingdom are invited to apply for one of these seedlings for public places that have an emotional connection to the community. According to National Trust were also documented from the tree stump-a sign of natural resilience and hope.

a lasting inheritance

The loss of the Sycamore Gap Tree is painful, but not without positive aftermath. Part of the tribe has already been converted into a work of art by artist Charlie Whinney, which is exhibited in the visitor center of the Northumberland National Park. This work of art comprises a trunk over two meters high and three oak benches, which are decorated with poetic words. It should remind of the cultural and emotional importance of the felled tree.

The events related to 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 should also help to preserve the natural heritage, as described nabu Similar provisions in the United Kingdom are in discussion to prevent future incidents of this kind and to raise awareness of the importance of trees in our landscape.