Seven months after a famous tree was felled along Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, two men were charged on Tuesday. The two men in their thirties are accused of damage, the public prosecutor’s services announced. Nothing was said about a motive.
The tree, a maple, was known as the Sycamore Gap Tree. It had probably been standing along Hadrian’s Wall for about two hundred years, right between two hills, when it was cut down by unknown people at the end of September 2023. The vandalism led to emotional reactions in England. For many people, the tree was connected to special events or memories.
Sycamore Gap Tree was one of the most photographed trees in the country. The maple was best known since it was prominently featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with actor Kevin Costner. In 2016 it was voted tree of the year in England.
© Getty Images
The two men, aged 31 and 38, were arrested in October, according to British broadcaster BBC, and had since been released on bail. They are due to appear in court in Newcastle on May 15 for damage to the tree and Hadrian’s Wall.
The Romans built the wall in the second century AD to protect their empire against invasions from the north and to control trade routes. The remains of the wall are very popular with hikers and tourists.
The tree in the movie ‘Robin Hood’. — © Warner Bros
