2 men convicted of cutting down beloved Sycamore Gap tree in northern England in 2023

LONDON — During the onset of a powerful autumn storm in the U.K. in late September 2023, a devious plot was set in motion to destroy a beloved tree in England.

Daniel Graham messaged his friend, Adam Carruthers, instructing him to prepare the saws, implying they would be clearing fallen trees in the aftermath of the storm.

However, it was not the fierce winds that caused the downfall of the renowned Sycamore Gap tree that fateful night, according to the jury’s verdict on Friday. It was Graham and Carruthers themselves who were responsible for the tree’s demise.

The duo were found guilty of two counts of criminal damage each by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court after just over five hours of deliberation spread across two days.

Despite the absence of a smoking chainsaw, the prosecution presented a wealth of digital evidence placing the men in close proximity to the tree at the time of its destruction or discussing the incident excitedly the following day as news of the tree’s fate spread rapidly.

The most compelling piece of evidence was a grainy video found on Graham’s phone, capturing the destructive act on that dark and stormy night.

The footage showed a lone figure silhouetted against the towering tree, engaged in a struggle with the trunk while the distinct sound of a chainsaw echoed above the howling wind. With a sudden crack, the buzz of the saw ceased, the figure stepped back, and the tree that had stood for approximately 150 years crashed to the ground.

Metadata from the video confirmed its location at the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland National Park, while other data indicated that Graham’s Range Rover had made the journey to the site.

The Sycamore Gap tree may not have been the largest or oldest sycamore in Britain, but it held significant value for its picturesque placement between two hills along Hadrian’s Wall, built by Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 122 to safeguard the Roman Empire’s northwest frontier. The tree had been a focal point for tourists, photographers, and those commemorating loved ones.

Gale Gilchrist, the region’s chief prosecutor, lamented the loss of the iconic natural landmark, stating, “For over a century, Sycamore Gap has been an iconic natural landmark in the northeast of England, bringing immeasurable joy to those visiting the area. In just under three minutes, Graham and Carruthers ended its historic legacy in a deliberate and mindless act of destruction.”

Both Graham, a small business owner, and Carruthers, a mechanic who occasionally collaborated with him, maintained their composure as the verdict was delivered.

Justice Christina Lambert remanded both men into custody until their sentencing on July 15, warning of a potential lengthy prison term as the maximum sentence for criminal damage is 10 years.

During the trial, the defendants, who were once close friends, asserted their innocence, claiming they were at their respective homes on the night in question and had no involvement in the crime.

Graham shifted blame to Carruthers, alleging his fixation on the tree, while Carruthers expressed apathy towards the incident, questioning the public’s outrage over “just a tree.” The prosecution argued that the two men had conspired together, with Carruthers conducting reconnaissance near the tree earlier that day.

As Graham’s vehicle was traced back to his residence in Carlisle, Carruthers exchanged messages with his partner, boasting about the viral attention their actions had garnered.

The prosecution was unable to locate the chainsaw used in the crime, but evidence on Graham’s phone indicated the presence of a chainsaw and a wooden wedge, potentially taken as a trophy from the fallen tree.

While the motive for the crime remained unclear, the prosecution suggested that the defendants’ actions amounted to senseless vandalism, sparking widespread condemnation.

The estimated value of the Sycamore Gap tree was disputed, but the damage caused to the wall and the tree itself warranted severe consequences according to prosecutor Rebecca Brown.