Two men charged over felling of Sycamore Gap tree

There was a national outcry in September when the much-loved, 200-year-old Northumberland tree, which stood next to Hadrian's Wall, was found to have been cut down.

By Claire Gilbody Dickerson, news reporter

Wednesday 1 May 2024 05:59, UK

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Two men have been charged in connection with the felling of the famous Sycamore Gap tree.

Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, have been charged with causing criminal damage after the tree was cut down last September.

They have both also been charged with causing criminal damage to Hadrian's Wall and are due to appear at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on 15 May.

There was a national outcry when the much-loved, 200-year-old Northumberland tree, which stood next to Hadrian's Wall, was found to have been cut down.

Northumbria Police made a number of arrests in the wake of the felling of the tree, which happened overnight on 27 and 28 September.

A teenager and man in his 60s were later both told that they will face no further action.

Teams from the National Trust collected material at the scene, which they hoped could be "viable for propagating" - or to produce new saplings and trees directly from the Sycamore Gap.

Officials said they are also "hoping" the trunk of the original tree could still regrow - but it could be three years before they know whether this is a possibility.

Seeds collected from the Sycamore Gap tree after it was felled last year are beginning to spring into life.

Gary Fothergill, specialist prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendants are active and that they have a right to a fair trial.

"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Two men charged over felling of Sycamore Gap tree

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