Adam Carruthers, 31, and Daniel Graham, 38, are accused of felling the iconic Sycamore Gap tree and causing damage to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Carruthers, who appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, pleaded not guilty to causing £622,191 worth of damage to the tree and £1,144 worth of damage to the wall. Graham, previously detained, also denied the charges in a magistrates’ court.

The tree, located on National Trust land and famous for its appearance in the 1991 film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” was felled overnight on 28 September 2023. Both defendants have been granted conditional bail, with a trial set for 3 December, expected to last 10 days. Pre-trial hearings are scheduled for 27 August and 5 November.