Two men charged with felling Sycamore Gap tree

Two men have been charged in connection with the felling of the world famous Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland.

Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, were initially arrested last October by police investigating the destruction of the 200-year-old tree.

They were bailed at the time but following a seven month investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that the pair had now been charged with unlawfully felling the sycamore and also criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall.

They are both due to appear before South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on 15 May 2024..

There was a national outcry in September when the much-loved, Northumberland landmark, which stood in a dramatic dip on Hadrian’s Wall, was found to have been cut down.

It became known as the Robin Hood tree after featuring in the 1991 Kevin Costner film, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.

Gary Fothergill, specialist prosecutor for CPS North East’s Complex Casework Unit, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Northumbria Police to charge Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers with causing criminal damage after the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down last September.

“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendants are active and that they have a right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney, the senior investigating officer, said: “There has been an ongoing investigation since the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down. As a result of those inquiries, two men have now been charged.

“We recognise the strength of feeling in the local community and further afield the felling has caused, however we would remind people to avoid speculation, including online, which could impact the ongoing case.

“We would further ask that anyone with information, who has not already come forward, contact police via the Report page of the Northumbria Police website or by calling 101 quoting NP-20230928-0295.”

Northumbria Police had made a number of arrests in the wake of the felling of the tree, which happened overnight on September 27 to 28. A teenager and man in his 60s were arrested and later both told that they will face no further action.

National Trust hopeful original tree will regrow

The National Trust, which owns the land on which the tree stood, said it was hopeful the sycamore will live on after scientists found that salvaged seeds and cuttings are showing positive signs of being viable for new growth.

The charity announced that it is hopeful more than 30 per cent of the mature seeds and half of the cuttings it collected from the tree’s remains will be viable.

It is also hopeful that the trunk of the original tree will regrow, but it may be up to three years before this is certain.

The charity said it is also working on a “fitting tribute” to the tree to ensure its legacy lives on following an unprecedented public response to the felling.

Last month, staff at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre said rescued seeds and buds were “springing into life”, giving more hope the famous tree will live on.

Plans for the Sycamore Gap seeds are still in development and saplings will not be ready for planting out for at least 12 months, the trust has said.