It’s not every day that the felling of a single tree sparks international outrage and a courtroom drama—but the Sycamore Gap tree wasn’t just any tree.
Perched beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, it was a beloved natural landmark, immortalised in movies and admired by millions.
So when it was senselessly cut down one stormy night in 2023, a mystery began that left people across the country asking one thing: Why?
Now, with two men behind bars and the dust settling on a dramatic trial, we’re finally learning more about the bizarre and reckless act that led to the destruction of a national treasure.
The Break in the Case: A Phone, a Chainsaw, and a Famous Outline
Detective Inspector Calum Meikle, who led the investigation, said the turning point came when officers found a video on one of the suspects’ phones.
At first, the clip looked like a dud—just over two and a half minutes of darkness.
But once the footage was enhanced, what emerged shocked even seasoned officers: the unmistakable silhouette of the Sycamore Gap tree, caught mid-fall with the roar of a chainsaw in the background.
That video, paired with tips from the public, was enough to lead police to Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both ground workers from Cumbria.
Not only had they filmed the moment they cut down the iconic tree, but they also photographed a wedge of the trunk in the back of Graham’s Range Rover—reportedly kept as a twisted trophy.
The Early Morning Mission That Made No Sense
The pair admitted they’d driven over 30 miles through a storm in the early hours of September 28, 2023, to carry out their destructive mission.
The prosecution described it as a “moronic mission” with no reasonable explanation.
Though at trial, Carruthers claimed he had drunk a bottle of whisky and barely remembered the act, the judge dismissed this, pointing out the precision required to fell such a tree.
Even more bizarrely, after the crime made headlines, the men exchanged gleeful messages and shared news articles, appearing to enjoy the attention.
Carruthers even forwarded the chainsaw video to his partner.
It was clear they were revelling in the media frenzy their actions created.
From Denial to Finger-Pointing: The Trial Unravels Their Lies
In court, the two friends quickly turned on each other.
Carruthers eventually admitted to being the one who wielded the chainsaw.
Graham, on the other hand, tried to downplay his role—describing himself as a bystander, shocked that his friend had gone through with it.
But Judge Christina Lambert wasn’t convinced.
She ruled that both men were equally responsible, stating they acted out of “sheer bravado” and got a thrill out of the media coverage.
Their flimsy excuses were torn apart by the jury.
Graham claimed he’d been asleep in a caravan while Carruthers took his car and phone on the trip without his knowledge.
Carruthers said he had tried to take his partner and baby out for dinner that night but turned back. Neither alibi held up.
The Fallout: Jail Time and National Outrage
In July 2025, the pair were sentenced to four years and three months in prison each, after being found guilty of causing over £622,000 worth of damage to the tree and another £1,100 to Hadrian’s Wall—a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The mystery of why they did it remains unresolved.
“That’s the first question I get asked,” said DI Meikle.
“People want to know why—and we still don’t know. Maybe they don’t even know themselves.”
A Tree Beyond Timber: The Cultural Impact
The sycamore had stood for more than a century, becoming one of Britain’s most photographed trees.
It gained global fame in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and narrowly escaped destruction in 2003 when a filming helicopter crashed just 100 feet away.
For many, it wasn’t just a tree—it was a piece of history, of art, and of the landscape.
That’s why Meikle believes the case could change how the UK legally protects trees of cultural significance.
“Hadrian’s Wall is protected as an ancient monument,” he noted.
“But the tree wasn’t. Maybe now’s the time for a change.”
From Hollywood to Headlines: A Timeline of Destruction
Here’s how events unfolded:
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Sept 28, 2023 (12:32 AM): A video of the felling is recorded on Graham’s phone.
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9:46 AM: Police receive reports that the tree has been destroyed.
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Oct 31: Graham and Carruthers are arrested.
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April 30, 2024: The men are officially charged with criminal damage.
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May 9, 2025: Jury finds them guilty.
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July 15, 2025: Sentencing is handed down.
Betrayal and Bravado: A Friendship in Ruins
In the months following the act, Graham and Carruthers’ friendship imploded.
Graham made an anonymous call to police, trying to shift blame.
He later publicly outed Carruthers on Facebook, posting pictures and accusing him of felling the tree.
His defence? Carruthers ruined his business and tried to pin everything on him.
In voice notes and social media chats, the two showed little remorse—just arrogance and excitement over the attention.
“I’d like to see Kevin Hartness launch an operation like we did last night,” Carruthers bragged in one message.
A Symbol Lost, but a Lesson Gained
The Sycamore Gap tree is gone, but its legacy—and the absurd crime behind its fall—will be remembered for years.
As DI Meikle put it: “This wasn’t just about a tree.
This was about something that meant the world to so many people.”
And perhaps now, after justice has been served, the nation can begin to grieve the loss of its most iconic tree—and learn from what it took to destroy it.