Sentencing of Sycamore Gap Tree Vandals

LONDON — Two individuals responsible for cutting down England’s cherished Sycamore Gap tree were sentenced to over four years in prison on Tuesday for damaging the nation’s natural heritage, inciting widespread outrage and distress.

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers embarked on what a prosecutor labeled a “moronic mission” during a stormy night in 2023, resulting in the majestic sycamore being toppled onto Hadrian’s Wall.

Both Graham, 39, and Carruthers, 32, were convicted of two charges of criminal damage — one for destroying the tree and another for damaging the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the ancient wall.

Justice Christina Lambert imposed a sentence of four years and three months in Newcastle Crown Court, citing premeditation in the act and the public anger and sadness it evoked.

Lambert noted that their actions were driven largely by “sheer bravado,” remarking, “Felling the tree in the middle of the night and in a storm gave you some thrill. You took pride in the coverage, knowing you were the subject of public discussion.”

According to Sarah Dodd, a tree law expert, this case marks the first instance in the U.K. of someone being sentenced to prison for illegally felling a tree. Dodd expressed the event’s tragic nature, stating, “The Sycamore Gap tree was more than just wood and leaves; it represented memory, history, and belonging.”

The Sycamore Gap tree, known for its picturesque location, gained international fame after appearing in Kevin Costner’s 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves.” It attracted numerous visitors, including landscape photographers and those honoring loved ones, and was awarded English “Tree of the Year” in 2016.