The Controversial Event: Two Men on Trial for toppling the "Robin Hood Tree" in the UK
- ~2 Min Read
Accused Defendants Facing Charges for Alleged Removal of the 'Robin Hood Tree' in Court Appearance - Two indiviuals face legal charges, accused of illegally felling the legendary Robin Hood Tree.
Remarkable news from the UK in September 2023, a tree was brought down in a clandestine act that raised eyebrows across the nation. This was no ordinary tree; it was the beloved sycamore known nationwide: the "Sycamore Gap Tree."
Two men, aged 39 and 32, are currently in the docks of Newcastle, accused of causing half a million pounds' worth of damage. They stand accused of felled the tree using a chainsaw, with their motive still shrouded in mystery. Both men confess their innocence.
Not the oldest or largest tree in the UK, yet the Sycamore Gap Tree was a well-known landmark, drawing locals and tourists alike with its striking canopy nestled between two hills. As local resident Catherine Cape explained to Euronews, the area still leaves a void, "I can't drive past without feeling a pang, seeing that gap."
Hollywood's "Robin Hood" Wraps the Tree in Fame
The distinctive trunk also graced the location for the 1991 film "Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves." The Hollywood feature, starring Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Rickman, brought international attention to the tree, imparting the affectionate nickname "Robin Hood Tree."
Interestingly, director Kevin Reynolds compared the tree's demise in 2023 to murder. "It was one of the most idyllic spots in the world," Reynolds shared, "and now it's gone, it's been murdered, and for what?" Couples too frequented the area, sharing their first kisses, proposing, and scattering the ashes of their deceased loved ones nearby.
The Northumberland National Park Authority deemed the sycamore their "most photographed spot," and in late 2016, it was crowned England's Tree of the Year. Its historical significance extends beyond, as the trunk fell across Hadrian's Wall, a Roman-era structure built in the 2nd century AD for defense and trade control.
Following the unfortunate event, the trial of the two defendants is now underway. A potential prison sentence is even being contemplated, according to Sarah Dodd, a specialist in tree law who spoke to Euronews. Dodd mentioned that such a conviction, should it occur, would mark the first time an individual in the UK is jailed for illegally felling a tree.
In spite of the tragedy, the tree's legacy thrives. Seedlings have been nurtured from the tree's seeds by National Trust nurseries and distributed nationwide. Additionally, researchers discovered shoots growing from the stump in August 2024, providing hope that the tree may still live on.
Let's hope for the rejuvenation of this iconic landmark and wish the defendants fair trials.
- Robin Hood
- UK
- Crime
- England
- Newcastle
- Criminal Damage
Sources:
- Euronews
- BBC
- Northumberland National Park
- The Guardian
- The Telegraph
Interesting Facts:
- The trial of Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers for the destruction of the Sycamore Gap Tree started on 28 April 2025.
- Agricultural economists estimated the tree's loss to be over £622,000 while the damage to Hadrian's Wall was around £1,100–£1,144.
- Locals around the area continue to find it distressing, with some describing the area as a "hole in the heart" of the landscape.
- The case was postponed from December 2024 due to Graham's illness, and prosecutors have yet to publicly detail their evidence.
- The trial is expected to last for two weeks, with the National Trust supporting the prosecution.
- A permanent exhibition showcasing preserved parts of the tree will open later in the year at the Sill visitor centre.
- The controversial trial of Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, the two men accused of illegally felling the "Robin Hood Tree" in the UK, began on April 28, 2025, with the potential of a prison sentence, as stated by Sarah Dodd, a specialist in tree law.
- The Sycamore Gap Tree, also known as the "Robin Hood Tree," was not just a tree but a historical landmark that drew locals and tourists alike, recognized as England's Tree of the Year in late 2016, and graced by the presence of Hollywood film producers in the 1991 film "Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves."
- The trial, as reported by Euronews, is taking place in Newcastle, UK, where two men, aged 39 and 32, have been accused of causing half a million pounds' worth of damage by felling the tree with a chainsaw.
- Pieces of the "Robin Hood Tree" will be exhibited in a permanent display at the Sill visitor center later in the year, preserving the legacy of a tree that holds deep sentiment for many, as expressed by local resident Catherine Cape who lamented, "I can't drive past without feeling a pang, seeing that gap."
