Two men sentenced to 4 years in prison for destroying landmark Sycamore Gap tree

Keely Goodall

Keely Goodall

17 July 2025 | 5:07

Two men chopped down the historic, well-loved Sycamore Gap tree in the UK in the middle of the night in 2023, which then fell on Hadrian’s Wall.

Two men sentenced to 4 years in prison for destroying landmark Sycamore Gap tree

FILE: The Sycamore Gap Tree (Acer pseudoplatanus), was next to Hadrian’s Wall, Haltwhistle, Northumberland UK. Picture: Gordon Leggett / Wikimedia Commons

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers have been sentenced to more than four years for felling one of the most loved and photographed trees in the UK.

In 2023, the pair used a chainsaw in the middle of the night to cut down the Sycamore Gap tree, which then crashed down on Hadrian’s Wall.

The sycamore was a popular spot for proposals, picnics, and even to spread ashes.

“It was featured in movies. The tree was even in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.”
– Barbara Friedman

The news of the tree's destruction was met with heartbreak and anger around the world.

The two initially denied the offence; however, video footage filmed on Daniel Graham’s phone showed the moment the tree was cut down.

The court also heard messages between the pair in which they discussed what they had done and appeared to revel in it.

“The prosecutor said it was a 'moronic mission'.” 
– Barbara Friedman

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