Two men were found guilty on Friday of illegally chopping down the famous ‘Sycamore Gap’ tree in Britain two years prior. Prosecutors called the act a “moronic mission” that destroyed the beloved landmark, known for its striking silhouette.

The sycamore, around 200 years old, was a popular attraction for photographers and hikers. It stood in a dramatic depression in the landscape next to Hadrian’s Wall.

The tree’s fame led to an appearance in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.” Its destruction in September 2023 sparked widespread outrage and sorrow.

Prosecutor Richard Wright stated to jurors at Newcastle Crown Court last month that Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were responsible for the “mindless vandalism,” using a chainsaw to expertly and intentionally cut down the tree.

The felling also damaged Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago.

Graham and Carruthers, who traveled from their homes near Carlisle, about 25 miles away, to the site in Northumberland National Park, denied involvement. However, they were convicted of two counts of criminal damage.

The men are scheduled for sentencing on July 15.

Chief Crown Prosecutor Gale Gilchrist stated that Sycamore Gap was an iconic landmark in northeast England for over a century, bringing joy to visitors.

She added that Graham and Carruthers ended its historic legacy in a deliberate and senseless act in under three minutes.

The jury watched a video during the trial, filmed on Graham’s phone, showing what appeared to be the felling of the iconic tree, described as their “moronic mission.”

According to the prosecution, the men kept a piece of the tree as a souvenir. Messages between them indicated they were “revelling” in the global reaction to the incident. No motive has been provided for their actions.

The National Trust, the conservation charity managing the site, reported last August that there were signs of regrowth at the tree’s base, raising hopes for its survival.

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