Two men behind 'senseless' felling of Sycamore Gap tree jailed for more than four years [View all]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/15/sycamore-gap-tree-felling-men-jailed

Two men behind ‘senseless’ felling of Sycamore Gap tree jailed for more than four years
Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, sentenced for act of criminal damage that sparked widespread sadness and anger
Mark Brown
Tue 15 Jul 2025 10.19 EDT

Two men who carried out a “moronic mission” to fell one of the most loved and photographed trees in the UK have been jailed.

Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were each given prison sentences of four years and three months for an act of criminal damage that caused the Sycamore Gap tree to crash down on to Hadrian’s wall in Northumberland on a stormy September night in 2023.

The attack, using a chainsaw in the middle of the night, was met with sadness, disbelief and anger that rippled around the world.

Sentencing the men at Newcastle crown court, Mrs Justice Lambert said the motive remained unclear but she rejected a claim by Carruthers that he was drunk.

The judge said Carruthers cut down the tree with a chainsaw while Graham filmed him, suggesting that “sheer bravado” and “some sort of thrill” were likely factors.

The sycamore was probably planted in the late 19th century and in recent decades the site was known as a beauty spot where people went to picnic, celebrate birthdays, propose marriage, spread ashes or just take photos.

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