Men face January trial over felling of historic U.K. tree

A judge in the Newcastle Crown Court on Dec. 9 delayed the trial of two men charged with cutting down the famous Sycamore Gap tree last year. Justice Christina Lambert adjourned the case after a defense lawyer said defendant Daniel Graham was too sick to attend on Dec. 9. Lambert rescheduled the two-week trial to begin Jan. 6.

What is the history of the case? Vandals in October 2023 illegally chopped down a nearly 200-year-old tree that stood next to the much-older Hadrian’s Wall in northern England. Officials later charged Graham and another man named Adam Carruthers with the crime. Both have denied any involvement.

Why is the tree so famous? The sycamore tree at the historic wall was in the middle of a picturesque dip in the landscape. It was a favorite scene for photographers—for marriage proposals and even big-budget films. Some people called it the Robin Hood Tree since it was the location of a scene in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Damage to the tree and wall was valued at about $825,000, according to the Smithsonian.

Experts collected seeds and cuttings from the original tree after it was felled and the National Trust grew 49 saplings from the material. The trust plans to distribute the saplings to groups across the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Northumberland National Park is partnering with artists to preserve parts of the tree.

Dig deeper: Read Julie Borg’s report in Beginnings about how tree rings document radiation storms.