The iconic Sycamore Gap tree, a cherished fixture of Hadrian's Wall, was felled last September in northern England, prompting public outrage and questions about accountability. The tree, a symbol of local heritage, had stood for 150 years and was a site of personal milestones for many, including wedding proposals and the scattering of ashes. Its destruction has been linked to damaging the ancient Roman wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Two men, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, are set to face trial on Monday at Newcastle Crown Court, charged with criminal damage related to the tree's felling and the impact on Hadrian's Wall. Both have pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor Rebecca Brown stated that the prosecution maintains the tree was "deliberately felled" as part of a joint enterprise. The loss has been valued at over $790,000 for the tree, with additional damage to the wall assessed at $1,400.
The tree gained fame after appearing in Kevin Costner's 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," increasing its appeal to tourists and local visitors alike. While a section of the trunk is displayed at the park visitor center and efforts to grow saplings are underway, the landscape remains altered. "The tree does still live on, but just not in the form that it was," says local resident Catherine Cape. "We'll never see it in our lifetime grow into a tree, or what it was before." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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