In July of 2025, two men were sentenced to jail for 4 years and 3 months for cutting down a tree on September 28th, 2023.
While this may seem like a steep price to pay for cutting down a tree, this was an iconic tree, one of the most beloved and photographed trees in England. It was a 150-year-old Sycamore, a gem in the Northumberland landscape, nestled between 2 steep hills along Hadrian’s Wall.
This tree was widely regarded across the UK and Europe and remains an almost core memory for thousands of people worldwide, The backdrop to marriage proposals, weddings, and the site for spreading the ashes of loved ones.
A tree so famous it was even featured in the film Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. I remember the scene well: Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman had a playful exchange where Freeman couldn’t find the direction East because of cloudy weather.
Pop star Bryan Adams also decided to use this location for his music video for the song he performed for the movie that topped the charts in 1991. I remember this tree as a kid in the early 90s, and sadly never got a chance to see it in person.
This heinous, deplorable act goes beyond vandalism. The men even saved the wedge they cut at the base of the tree before they felled it, a trophy from their savage act.
Justice came for these men. And for those that have grieved the loss of this legend, the stump sprouted! The new growth is bringing a second life for tree, a chance to return what was lost.
Though it was illegal for this tree to be cut down, these beautiful trees exist everywhere, even in our backyards.
While it’s not a crime to remove a tree on our own property, we ought to consider the impact to the environment, the neighborhood and the greater community that will be affected by the loss. It will always be much greater than our own experience.
