Two men have been charged in connection with the felling of the beloved Sycamore Gap tree and Hadrian’s Wall.
Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, have been charged with causing criminal damage to the tree that famously featured in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
The pair are set to appear in court in May, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Gary Fothergill, specialist prosecutor for CPS North East’s Complex Casework Unit, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Northumbria Police to charge Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers with causing criminal damage after the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down last September.
“They have also been charged with causing criminal damage to Hadrian’s Wall and will appear at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on May 15 2024.”
There was a national outcry in September when the much-loved, 300-year-old Northumberland tree, which stood in a dramatic dip on Hadrian’s Wall, was found to have been felled overnight.
Since the felling last September, specialists have been desperately searching for a way to give the much-photographed landmark a new breath of life.
Staff quickly collected material from the remains of the tree and in the months since, experts have used a range of techniques to cultivate the rescued material.
Seeds and buds rescued from the Sycamore Gap are “springing into life” at a specialist conservation centre, giving hope the famous tree will live on.
Staff at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre have been carefully looking after the recovered seeds and twigs.
Andrew Jasper, director of gardens and parklands at the National Trust, said: “These techniques, delivered with a remarkable degree of care and precision by our conservationists, are providing a legacy for this much-loved tree.
“And while there’s a way to go before we have true saplings, we’ll be keeping everything crossed that these plants continue to grow stronger and can be planted out and enjoyed by many in the future.”
Tony Gates, chief executive officer of the Northumberland National Park Authority said: “I was at Sycamore Gap in the immediate hours following the felling of the tree, managing the unfolding story as it happened and responding to the media.
“Whilst all of that was taking place, a team from the National Trust arrived to collect seed and other material from the tree. The seed did not appear to be mature enough and the chances of success appeared slim, but the idea of a direct link from the tree, at the time of it being felled, was a powerful one.
“How great it is that experts have been able to bring us this direct connection and refreshed hope. I look forward to working with the National Trust as we see how these beacons can send hope far beyond Northumberland. I would like to thank the team who have made this happen.”
