Newcastle, England — A friendship between two men turned complicated following a controversial incident involving a famous sycamore tree. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers reportedly enjoyed a close bond, formed in 2021 after Carruthers repaired a vehicle belonging to Graham’s father, who had passed away tragically. They frequently collaborated on tree felling and trimming work throughout their friendship, which took a downward spiral after the incident.
The trouble began when a video emerged showing Carruthers, described as Graham’s “best pal,” chopping up trees. On August 17, just weeks before the infamous felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, Graham filmed this footage, showcasing their work together before the event would lead to public outrage. Prosecutors revealed that both individuals had initially downplayed their familiarity with chainsaws, with Carruthers’ lawyer explaining his client’s reluctance to admit full knowledge of using the equipment.
As the reality of their actions became clearer amidst mounting public backlash, the friendship fractured dramatically. While Carruthers claimed he had no involvement in the tree’s demise, Graham shifted the blame toward Carruthers, who allegedly expressed interest in the tree and even treasured a piece of string used to measure its circumference. These claims were strongly denied by Carruthers.
Graham’s narrative included a previous encounter with the area, which he later characterized as an inadvertent connection to the tree famous for its appearance in the film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.” Despite his admission to having reported a stolen vehicle from the nearby Steel Rigg parking lot, he maintained that he had no prior knowledge of the iconic tree until Carruthers mentioned it.
Initial reluctance to implicate his friend soon morphed into decisive action when Graham reportedly provided police with photos of Carruthers next to chainsaws. In a bid to distance himself from the crime, he later made an anonymous tip-off in August 2024, alleging that Carruthers possessed a wedge of wood from the tree and the chainsaw used in its felling. However, police searches revealed no evidence of the accused items.
During testimonies, Graham asserted that Carruthers requested he take the fall, suggesting police would show leniency due to his “mental health issue.” Carruthers adamantly denied this assertion.
This tumultuous case highlights how personal relationships can shift dramatically under pressure, particularly when public opinion turns against actions deemed reckless or irresponsible.
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