Two Men Charged Over Felling of Famous Sycamore Gap Tree in Northumberland
Two men have been charged over the felling of the famous Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland last September.
Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, have been charged with causing criminal damage to the tree and Hadrian’s Wall, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Gary Fothergill, specialist prosecutor for CPS North East’s Complex Casework Unit, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Northumbria Police to charge Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers with causing criminal damage after the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down last September.
“They have also been charged with causing criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall and will appear at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on 15 May 2024.”
There was a national outcry in September when the much-loved, 200-year-old Northumberland tree, which stood in a dramatic dip on Hadrian’s Wall, was found to have been cut down.
Northumberland National Park (NNP) said it had received 2,000 “heartfelt” messages from people from all around the world expressing sorrow and that it had been inundated with offers of help.
In an update last month, NNP said that the largest section of the sycamore would go on display at The Sill, a tourist attraction close to its original site, in September, following weeks of speculation about what would happen to the remains of the tree.
They added that this would “provide people with a lasting connection to the tree”.
The tree stump remains in its original spot in the hope it will regrow in time and to give the tree the best chance of regrowth, there is currently a low fence in place.
In December, the National Trust, who are guardians of the tree, said that they were closely monitoring the seeds and material collected from the original tree – which were being cared for at the charity’s specialist plant conservation centre.
This story is developing, stay tuned for more updates.