**Sycamore Gap Trial: Defendant Claims “It Was Just a Tree” as Court Hears of Public Outcry**
The man accused of helping to fell the famed Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian’s Wall told a court he couldn’t fathom the degree of outrage over its destruction, insisting to jurors it was “just a tree”. The iconic sycamore, a much-photographed symbol in Northumberland’s dramatic landscape, was cut down overnight in September 2023, triggering widespread public anger and sorrow.
During proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court this week, Adam Carruthers, 32, defended his response to the news of the tree’s demise. Prosecutors allege that Carruthers, alongside Daniel Graham, 39, travelled through Storm Agnes from Carlisle to the historic site, where they used a chainsaw to bring down the beloved tree – causing additional damage to a section of Hadrian’s Wall. Both men deny two counts of criminal damage relating to the tree and the World Heritage Site.
Taking the witness stand on the fifth day of the trial, Carruthers was quizzed about why he appeared particularly engaged with online coverage and discussions just hours after the tree was chopped down. “I woke up and saw it all over Facebook. Every other post seemed to be about this tree,” he testified. “Honestly, I couldn’t understand why everyone was so worked up about it. To me, it was just a tree. The way people were talking, you’d think someone had been murdered.”
Carruthers explained that he and Graham, who were friends at the time, exchanged messages about the incident due to the sheer scale of the reaction. “The publicity was unbelievable for something I considered insignificant,” Carruthers added, highlighting his sense of bewilderment at the attention.
In his defence, Carruthers described his domestic circumstances during the period in question. He was living with his long-term partner in Kirkbride, Cumbria, helping care for their newborn daughter following a Caesarean section. He maintained that he was at home that night, remaining in contact with his partner via text to avoid disturbing the baby. “She was feeding the baby in the bedroom, and I didn’t want to wake them by going in, so I just sent her messages,” he told the court.
The prosecution probed Carruthers about certain communications sent on the night of the incident, including a reference to having a “better video” than one his partner shared of their baby. Carruthers clarified this apparently related to a video of storm damage at their property, not the felling of the tree. Likewise, a voice note to Mr Graham, mentioning “an operation like we did last night”, was contested by Carruthers. He insisted his words had been misunderstood, claiming he was referring generally to the unknown culprit and not to himself or Graham.
Carruthers continued to distance himself from any involvement, stating he had no knowledge of who was responsible for the act and that no conversation had ever connected Graham to the event. When questioned about why their friendship ended, Carruthers explained that Graham had accused him of betraying him to authorities, resulting in a mutual decision to part ways.
Under intense cross-examination by prosecutor Richard Wright KC, Carruthers stood firm, rejecting accusations that he dismissed the tree’s significance and had lost the courage to admit involvement as public opinion swelled. “That’s simply not the case,” he replied.
The defendant also denied allegations that he had ever measured the tree or asked his co-defendant to take the fall, as suggested by Graham during his testimony. Carruthers refuted any claims that he was fixated on the Sycamore Gap tree, insisting there was no particular interest.
Further scrutiny was placed on the movement of Carruthers’ mobile phone, which reportedly registered signals off cell towers tracing a route from his home towards Hadrian’s Wall on the day the tree fell. Carruthers maintained that he and his partner had only intended to take their children for a family meal in Gateshead, but abandoned the trip when their baby became unsettled, instead returning home. He conceded that the round trip to the Metrocentre would have taken about three hours, as prosecutors had indicated.
As the court heard both the defence and prosecution’s arguments, the public and media interest in the case remained intense. The Sycamore Gap tree had been a symbol of the North East for decades, featuring in numerous films and photographs. Its sudden loss triggered an outpouring of grief, and the continuing court case highlights the emotional connection many feel towards natural landmarks.
The trial is set to continue, with both men vigorously denying any involvement in the felling of the region’s renowned tree.