Nature enthusiasts, animal advocates, and conservationists will be relieved to hear that two individuals have been charged in relation to the cutting down of the iconic 200-year-old Sycamore Gap tree. The incident garnered widespread media attention, as the tree was a renowned landmark. It attracted international tourists, and its loss dealt a significant blow to local tourism. The prospect of waiting another 200 years for a replacement to mature is indeed a tragedy.
Following the crime, police interviewed Walter Renwick, a 69-year-old former lumberjack, and arrested him on suspicion of criminal damage. Last December, he was informed that no further action would be taken against him, similar to a 16-year-old boy who had also been arrested and bailed.
In recent developments, two men have been charged with the criminal damage of the renowned tree near Hadrian’s Wall.
The accused are Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, charged with the tree’s destruction. The damage was severe; the tree was completely felled. The CPS has announced the charges.
Gary Fothergill, a specialist prosecutor for the CPS North-East’s Complex Casework Unit, stated: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized Northumbria Police to charge Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers with causing criminal damage following the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree last September.”
He also mentioned their scheduled appearance at Southeast Northumberland Magistrates’ Court on May 15.
This news is welcomed, and it is hoped that the prosecution will result in a successful conviction and appropriate punishment. Subsequently, efforts can concentrate on cultivating a new tree.
Initiatives for regrowth have begun, with plans to propagate the tree from 50 seedlings and five genetic clones of the original, ensuring its legacy for future generations.
Horticulturists have successfully germinated some seeds in Devon greenhouses.
Last November, the remains of the 50-foot Sycamore tree were meticulously extracted by crane. The fall also caused damage to Hadrian’s Wall.
Before its removal, the tree was sectioned into large pieces. Numerous artists have expressed interest in creating sculptures from the tree’s remnants.
The tree gained fame for its appearance in the 1991 film “Robin Hood.”
Motivation?
If these two are guilty of this crime what was the motivation? Difficult to image one. The Times tells us that Graham is a ‘ground-worker and keeps machinery, horses and dogs on a compound where neighbours said he has been living in a caravan’.
The tree was owned by the National Trust. Perhaps he had a beef with the National Trust about what he can do on the land where he lives. And he thought that by cutting down the tree (if he did) might improve his prospects of developing the plot on which he lives.
Image credit: By Clementp.fr – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=115374211
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