Overview

• The Sycamore Gap tree, a cultural and historical landmark near Hadrian's Wall, was illegally felled on September 28, 2023, sparking widespread outrage.
• Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were convicted on May 9, 2025, of two counts of criminal damage for their deliberate destruction of the tree.
• The sentencing hearing on July 15, 2025, will be televised, marking a rare decision by the court to broadcast the proceedings.
• The tree, planted in the late 1800s by John Clayton, was renowned for its appearance in the 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' and its designation as English Tree of the Year in 2016.
• Efforts to preserve the tree’s legacy include harvesting seeds and cuttings for future saplings and plans to display the remaining trunk.