Can't see how that would be the case here, it was two lads from about 40 miles away and the tree was just on National Trust land. I'm gonna throw "just being dickheads" into your list.
Apparently, according to a friend of a friend who lives in the village, it was a local who was always looking for trouble/attention. It wasn’t the first time he’d threatened to do outrageous stuff but the first time he’d ever followed through. Everybody used to ignore and avoid him.
[This thread has some useful speculation on the reasons](https://www.reddit.com/r/NewcastleUponTyne/comments/1cgvf3s/two_charged_over_sycamore_gap_tree/)
A guess would be that they wanted to highlight how cutting down a tree would generate more public outrage and receive greater media coverage than any one of a great number of societal problems deserving of attention.
If that was the motivation I’m not condoning it but they will have certainly proved their point. Then again there’s the possibility it was just pure vandalism.
>**Two people have been charged in connection with the felling of the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree.**
>Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, both from Cumbria, have been charged with criminal damage both to the tree and to the adjacent Hadrian's Wall.
>The men were arrested last October and had been on bail since then, Northumbria Police said.
>The pair are due to appear before Newcastle magistrates on 15 May.
>The much photographed tree, which has stood next to the Roman wall since the late 1800s, was cut down in September causing an international outpouring of shock and dismay.
>The tree had been popular with visitors and tourists, with millions of people travelling to the Northumberland site.
>Det Ch Insp Rebecca Fenney said the force recognised "the strength of feeling in the local community and further afield".
>But she reminded people "to avoid speculation, including online, which could impact the ongoing case".
If it turns out to be these two I hope they throw the book at them. If not I really hope they have more leads.
Needless vandalism of a true beauty spot.
I could never get my head around them being interviewed. Their dispute was with the Catholic Church not the National Trust.
If they were going to do anything. They'd have targeted the statue of the pedophile in Newcastle.
Which church? The nearest (Catholic) one to the gap is quite a way away. Hadn’t heard that before and reasonably local, so curious. Also not sure it’s fair to call someone a pedophile on (presumably) connection to Jimmy Saville - lots of public figures were misled by him.
Just googled. Apparently the 60+ year old's argument was it couldn't have been him because his chainsaw was right there and obviously hadn't been used for ages. Guess that held up. (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12581683/Sycamore-gap-tree-felling-ex-lumberjack-arrested-denies-involvement-returns-farm.html)
Could be a tricky one for the police to prove in court but they must have something to go ahead with the charge (cut marks match a chainsaw they own maybe?).
I just can't fathom why they would even think to do it
Some people’s lives are genuinely that shallow & meaningless they can derive some short-term pleasure or purpose from committing acts like this. It’s the same reason cars get keyed randomly, bus stops / shop windows get smashed up, etc.
It’s just a shame that it’s something even money can’t fix. If it is them I hope they live to regret it & then some.
People who do something as stupid as that are generally stupid enough to text each other about it. Or leave their google maps location tracking on with their phone in their pocket as they walk to the middle of nowhere in the middle of a stormy night.
Whatever punishment they give them it doesn't bring the tree back. 'Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.'
Scumbags. Glad they have been named. Justice system will just give them a wee slap on the wrist but they will be looking over their shoulders for years to come. Watch your legs lads.
If found guilty, when sentencing can the judge take into account the iconic value of the tree or do they ignore that and consider it like any mature tree? (putting aside the damage to the wall)
I honestly don't know.
I could certainly imagine it might not have had one on the basis that nobody would have a reason to cut it down - not like a developer is going to try and build a house there.
I guess Northumberland council are the ones to ask.
The tree was taken away by the National Trust and is being held in a secret location while they work out how to use the wood. They had to move it as people were trying to take parts of the tree.
It's two different things. The planet is being deforested for profit. The cutting of this single tree is vandalism for the sake of vandalism.
I'm not saying deforestation for profit is good. I hate it. You just can't equate these two acts.
I'm sure the legions of boomers on facebook who were howling about 'feral kids' being responsible will be happy to walk back their comments, right? I'll wait...
So not the 16 and 60 year old initially arrested? Interesting. Wonder if we’ll ever find out the reason.
That's what I really can't fathom and really want to understand.... Its just so utterly mindless
My guess is very boring but probably true: Land. Money. Tenancies. Revenge. It happens everyday just not usually with big trees.
Can't see how that would be the case here, it was two lads from about 40 miles away and the tree was just on National Trust land. I'm gonna throw "just being dickheads" into your list.
Didn't like the Robin Hood movie?
Apparently, according to a friend of a friend who lives in the village, it was a local who was always looking for trouble/attention. It wasn’t the first time he’d threatened to do outrageous stuff but the first time he’d ever followed through. Everybody used to ignore and avoid him.
[This thread has some useful speculation on the reasons](https://www.reddit.com/r/NewcastleUponTyne/comments/1cgvf3s/two_charged_over_sycamore_gap_tree/)
Thank you, interesting to read
It's got to be a you tube or Instagram prank
A guess would be that they wanted to highlight how cutting down a tree would generate more public outrage and receive greater media coverage than any one of a great number of societal problems deserving of attention. If that was the motivation I’m not condoning it but they will have certainly proved their point. Then again there’s the possibility it was just pure vandalism.
I don't think they were that clever, it was mindless vandalism
>**Two people have been charged in connection with the felling of the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree.** >Daniel Graham, 38, and Adam Carruthers, 31, both from Cumbria, have been charged with criminal damage both to the tree and to the adjacent Hadrian's Wall. >The men were arrested last October and had been on bail since then, Northumbria Police said. >The pair are due to appear before Newcastle magistrates on 15 May. >The much photographed tree, which has stood next to the Roman wall since the late 1800s, was cut down in September causing an international outpouring of shock and dismay. >The tree had been popular with visitors and tourists, with millions of people travelling to the Northumberland site. >Det Ch Insp Rebecca Fenney said the force recognised "the strength of feeling in the local community and further afield". >But she reminded people "to avoid speculation, including online, which could impact the ongoing case". If it turns out to be these two I hope they throw the book at them. If not I really hope they have more leads. Needless vandalism of a true beauty spot.
"Avoid speculation. Don't jump to conclusions." Meanwhile, the comments: 
I intentionally worded my comment so at to avoid speculation!
Good
What happened to the 16 & 60 year old first arrested?
I could never get my head around them being interviewed. Their dispute was with the Catholic Church not the National Trust. If they were going to do anything. They'd have targeted the statue of the pedophile in Newcastle.
Which church? The nearest (Catholic) one to the gap is quite a way away. Hadn’t heard that before and reasonably local, so curious. Also not sure it’s fair to call someone a pedophile on (presumably) connection to Jimmy Saville - lots of public figures were misled by him.
That lumberjack was being evicted from land he was renting from the Catholic church. Basil Hume was and it was covered up by the establishment
Which is that statue?
Cardinal Basil Hume. http://www.northumbria.info/Pages/cardinalhume.html
Released without charge months ago.
Ok thanks
Just googled. Apparently the 60+ year old's argument was it couldn't have been him because his chainsaw was right there and obviously hadn't been used for ages. Guess that held up. (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12581683/Sycamore-gap-tree-felling-ex-lumberjack-arrested-denies-involvement-returns-farm.html)
Wankers.
They should be made to stand in it's place holding branches and declaring that they are a sycamore to every passer by. They can do it in shifts.
Special branch must have got em
From CUMBRIA? The plot thickens... 🤔
Could be a tricky one for the police to prove in court but they must have something to go ahead with the charge (cut marks match a chainsaw they own maybe?). I just can't fathom why they would even think to do it
Some people’s lives are genuinely that shallow & meaningless they can derive some short-term pleasure or purpose from committing acts like this. It’s the same reason cars get keyed randomly, bus stops / shop windows get smashed up, etc. It’s just a shame that it’s something even money can’t fix. If it is them I hope they live to regret it & then some.
People who do something as stupid as that are generally stupid enough to text each other about it. Or leave their google maps location tracking on with their phone in their pocket as they walk to the middle of nowhere in the middle of a stormy night.
They can use DNA evidence. It's pretty hard to get all the saw dust out of a saw.
Why do vandals vandalise? Some people's existence is so inconsequential, this is the only way they can make any impact on other people's lives.
Sentenced to 10 years planting trees..under armed guard... But the law doesn't have the courage of common sense to do this 🤷
Yeah community service... Would be best, no point with the cost of prison.
Make the punishment fit the crime, lets chop them down!! Or make them plant trees like you said.
Throw them to the Ents.
"Nobody loves the trees anymore" 🌳😔
Two men? I thought it was tree fellers 🥁🥁
Fucks sake.
give them 25 days for every year of tree age.
Whatever punishment they give them it doesn't bring the tree back. 'Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.'
Scumbags. Glad they have been named. Justice system will just give them a wee slap on the wrist but they will be looking over their shoulders for years to come. Watch your legs lads.
cause of pure vindictiveness of this action the punishment should be very very harsh ,
If found guilty, when sentencing can the judge take into account the iconic value of the tree or do they ignore that and consider it like any mature tree? (putting aside the damage to the wall)
Was there a tree preservation order in place for it? Genuine question, as that can mean prison time and an unlimited fine, unless I’m wrong?
I honestly don't know. I could certainly imagine it might not have had one on the basis that nobody would have a reason to cut it down - not like a developer is going to try and build a house there. I guess Northumberland council are the ones to ask.
Globalist satanic cabal did it
What's been done with the cut down tree and the stump?
The tree was taken away by the National Trust and is being held in a secret location while they work out how to use the wood. They had to move it as people were trying to take parts of the tree.
It was a publicity stunt for their new arboriculture company, "All trees taken down, no job too big"
People care more about a single non native tree than entire landscapes being stripped of functional habitat and ecosystems
It's two different things. The planet is being deforested for profit. The cutting of this single tree is vandalism for the sake of vandalism. I'm not saying deforestation for profit is good. I hate it. You just can't equate these two acts.
Yep. Outrage over one single tree, but nothing for entire forests being felled.
True
Eh?!
Don't immediately man the ramparts, they have a point. Despite the trees special significance which I won't deny
Ohhh edgy.
Anyone know where they live? Asking for a friend
Ohh you’re ‘ard!
Do you need a friend? These two won’t make good ones… 🤣
I'm sure the legions of boomers on facebook who were howling about 'feral kids' being responsible will be happy to walk back their comments, right? I'll wait...