A British court has found two men guilty of cutting down the iconic 200-year-old Sycamore Gap tree, also known as the “Robin Hood Tree” — a natural landmark in northern England.
According to Reuters, the tree stood near the historic Hadrian’s Wall in a scenic valley and was a popular destination for tourists, photographers, and newlyweds. It even appeared in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Its destruction in September 2023 sparked widespread outrage and condemnation.
Prosecutor Richard Wright told jurors that 39-year-old Daniel Graham and 32-year-old Adam Carruthers deliberately and professionally felled the tree using a chainsaw, calling the act “senseless vandalism.” The felling also caused damage to a section of Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built nearly 2,000 years ago.
The men denied any involvement, but a jury at Newcastle Crown Court found them guilty on two counts of criminal damage. Sentencing is scheduled for July 15.
