The removal of the famous Sycamore Gap tree, a beloved natural landmark featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, has left a profound impact on local identity and tourism in northern England. Two men stand trial charged with criminal damage after the tree was felled, highlighting the rarity and severity of such environmental crimes in the UK.
In northern England, the iconic sycamore tree known as the Sycamore Gap tree, which stood gracefully between two hills along Hadrian’s Wall, was cut down more than eighteen months ago, provoking widespread distress and disbelief among locals and visitors alike. This area, cherished for its picturesque landscape and historical significance, is now marked by an empty space where the tree once stood as a natural landmark.
The Sycamore Gap tree, famous worldwide after its appearance in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves,” was a favourite spot for tourists, photographers, and those seeking a moment of reflection. It attracted thousands who were drawn to the unique way its canopy filled the saddle between the hills on the ancient Roman wall built by Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 122. Visitors were often seen taking selfies, and the location played host to many personal and communal milestones, including first kisses, wedding proposals, and even the scattering of ashes.
Catherine Cape, a local who runs a guest cabin near the site, expressed the ongoing emotional impact of the tree’s removal. Speaking to The Independent, she said, “We’re still devastated by it. I can’t drive past it. … I just don’t like looking at the space there.” Cape recounted her personal connections to the tree, including walking to it on dates and watching her daughter take her first steps beneath its branches. The tree also served as a place of gathering for her family during the COVID-19 lockdown, underscoring its role as a community focal point.
The tree’s removal has had a significant effect on local identity and tourism. Tony Gates, Chief Executive of Northumberland National Park, noted that before the tree was felled, about 80% of inquiries at the main visitor centre concerned visits to the Sycamore Gap. He remarked on the tree’s deep connection to the local culture, stating, “The tree’s part of our Northumbrian identity. It’s something that everybody grows up knowing about.”
Legal proceedings concerning the felling of the tree are underway. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, have been charged with two counts each of criminal damage related to the toppling of the Sycamore Gap tree and damage to the adjacent Hadrian’s Wall. The financial value of the tree was estimated by prosecutors at over £620,000, with damage to the historical wall assessed at £1,100.
The trial is taking place at Newcastle Crown Court and commenced this week following a previous delay caused by the illness of one of the accused. Both men have pleaded not guilty. Details of the evidence and motives behind the act have yet to be disclosed by prosecutors.
Attorney Sarah Dodd, a specialist in tree law, has highlighted the rarity and potential severity of such charges in the UK legal system. Speaking to The Independent, she noted, “I don’t think anybody has got a custodial sentence for the illegal felling of a tree yet in the U.K.” She added that the maximum penalty for criminal damage can be up to ten years in prison, a punishment that could be unprecedented in this context given the case’s national significance. “That’s on the table because of the gravity of the situation. And when I say gravity, I think value and also shock of the nation.”
Following its removal, the tree was carefully lifted by crane and transported to a National Trust property for safekeeping. A segment of the trunk has been displayed at the Northumberland National Park visitor centre. Furthermore, efforts to preserve the Sycamore Gap’s legacy include cultivating saplings from seeds collected from the tree; these will be donated for planting across the United Kingdom. Notably, dozens of shoots have recently sprouted from the original stump at the site, offering the potential for the tree to regrow in time.
The Sycamore Gap tree remains a symbol of natural and historical heritage in northern England, with ongoing communal and legal conversations about its loss and future. The trial now underway will seek to determine accountability for the damage caused to this much-loved landmark and the ancient wall it graced.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/places-to-visit/hadrians-wall/sycamore-gap/ – This URL supports the claim that Sycamore Gap, located at Hadrian’s Wall, was a famous spot known as the most photographed tree in England before it was felled in October 2023. It provides updates on how Northumberland National Park is responding to the public outcry and plans for preserving the tree’s legacy.
- https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/hadrians-wall-and-housesteads-fort/sycamore-gap-walk-at-hadrians-wall-and-housesteads-fort – This URL corroborates the location of Sycamore Gap along Hadrian’s Wall and offers a walking route that includes the iconic site, further highlighting its historical and cultural significance.
- https://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/walk/sycamore-gap-walk/ – The Sycamore Gap walk described here reinforces the tree’s former setting within a picturesque landscape along Hadrian’s Wall, emphasizing its importance as a tourist attraction.
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186353-d5037318-Reviews-Sycamore_Gap-Northumberland_National_Park_Northumberland_England.html – This review page supports the claim that Sycamore Gap was a popular tourist destination, now marked by the absence of the iconic tree.
- https://fabulousnorth.com/sycamore-gap/ – This site confirms the location of Sycamore Gap between Milecastle 39 and Crag Lough, west of Housesteads Roman Fort, and mentions its removal in September 2023, aligning with other reports of the tree’s felling.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-64890552 – This news article could potentially cover the legal proceedings and public reaction following the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, although specific coverage might vary. It generally supports the notion that such high-profile environmental crime can lead to legal action.
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/england-london-newcastle-crown-court-roman-empire-kevin-costner-b2740546.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The content is relatively recent, discussing an event that occurred over eighteen months ago. However, the legal proceedings are ongoing, which suggests the topic is still current.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Direct quotes are attributed to specific individuals, such as Catherine Cape and Attorney Sarah Dodd, suggesting these are original or recent sources. However, without earlier online references, it is difficult to confirm if they were first reported here.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, which is a well-known and generally reliable source.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims are plausible and consistent with the known context of the Sycamore Gap tree’s removal and legal proceedings. Details about local impact and legal charges align with reported facts.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative has a high level of reliability due to its origin from a trusted source and plausible content. The freshness of the topic is maintained by ongoing legal proceedings.
