Two charged over the felling of the nation’s favourite tree
TWO men were last night charged over the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, more than seven months after it was chopped down.
Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, from Carlisle, Cumbria, face allegations of criminal damage to the landmark, as well as nearby Hadrian’s Wall.
The pair were originally arrested in October, a month after the iconic tree was mysteriously felled, but were released on bail. They are due to appear at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on May 15.
The loss of the 300-year-old sycamore, which was nicknamed Robin Hood’s Tree after it featured in the 1991 Kevin Costner blockbuster film, Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, caused national outrage last September and made headlines around the world.
Part of Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for decades the tree had drawn many visitors and was a magnet for photographers and wedding proposals. It was National Trust property and had won the 2016 England Tree of the Year award.
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney, the Senior Investigation Officer from Northumbria Police, said: ‘There has been an ongoing investigation since the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down.
‘As a result of those enquiries, two men have now been charged.
‘We recognise the strength of feeling in the local community and further afield the felling has caused, however we would remind people to avoid speculation,
‘Speculation may impact case’
including online, which could impact the ongoing case.’
At this stage, no further details are known about the accused men or the circumstances surrounding their alleged crimes.
The first suspect was a 16-yearold boy who was arrested shortly after the tree came down.
Then local lumberjack Walter Renwick, 69, was arrested in relation to the crime. He insisted he was watching Netflix in his campervan at a farm eight miles away when it happened and police later announced he would face no further action.
Two men in their 30s – now known to be Graham and Carruthers – were arrested about a month after the 50ft tree was chopped down.
In December, the National Trust revealed that seeds and cuttings taken from the tree are showing ‘positive signs of life’. There is now hope that ‘descendants’ of the tree could be grown.
Andy Jasper, director of gardens and parklands at the National Trust, said: ‘Over the next year, we’ll be doing all we can to nurture the seeds and cuttings, in the hope that some will grow into strong, sturdy saplings – providing a new future for this muchloved tree.’
The Trust is also launching an appeal for a ‘fitting tribute’ to the Sycamore Gap. The largest section of the tree will be on public view later this year at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, in Hexham.