Judge Condemns “Senseless” Destruction of Famous UK Landmark
Two men who cut down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland, England, were sentenced Tuesday to more than four years in prison each for what a judge called a “moronic mission” that left the nation stunned.
Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were convicted of criminal damage for the September 2023 act, which destroyed a cherished natural landmark and damaged the adjacent Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Felling Sparked Global Sadness and Outrage
The Sycamore Gap tree, believed to have been planted in the late 19th century, stood in a picturesque valley along Hadrian’s Wall and became one of the UK’s most photographed and beloved trees. People often visited the site for picnics, proposals, memorials, and photography.
Prosecutors said the two men drove to the site late at night with a chainsaw, hiked 20 minutes to the tree, and cut it down while filming the act. Evidence presented in court included video footage from Graham’s phone and text messages showing them reveling in the notoriety.
During sentencing, Justice Lambert rejected Carruthers’ claim that he was drunk at the time, calling the crime deliberate, planned, and executed with “sheer bravado.”
Public Reaction and Victim Impact
The National Trust, which manages the site, described the public reaction as “unprecedented,” with widespread grief and confusion about why anyone would destroy the tree.
“This iconic tree can never be replaced,” a statement from the Trust read in court. “It belonged to the people. It was a totemic symbol.”
Kim McGuinness, metro mayor for north-east England, added: “The sentence could never reflect the devastation we all still feel for the loss of our beloved Sycamore Gap tree.”
Defendants Show Little Remorse
Prosecutors argued the men took pride in the crime, calling it the “arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery.” Defense lawyers noted that both men had faced public backlash, including hate mail and property damage, since their arrest.
Graham’s attorney described him as a “troubled man” who had attempted suicide while in custody. Carruthers’ lawyer said his client acted out of “drunken stupidity” and would carry the stigma of his actions for the rest of his life — a claim the court rejected.
The judge emphasized the harm caused, saying both men “revelled in the coverage, taking pride in what [they] had done” and were equally culpable.
Community Still Searching for Answers
Many in attendance at the sentencing, including longtime locals, expressed disappointment that the motive remains unclear. “There’s plenty of trees in Cumbria for them to cut down,” one attendee remarked.
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