The men responsible for chainsawing the Sycamore Gap tree “were each given sentences of four years and three months”, stated The Guardian on 16th July, 2025.
Although the charge was one of criminal damage, “the attack… was met with sadness, disbelief and anger that rippled around the world…the felling caused widespread distress”. Generally, acts of criminal damage only effect the immediate owners of property or items involved, this case had a far different and far reaching impact, as the mayor for the area stated: “the sentence could never reflect the devastation we all still feel for the loss”. The loss is a living breathing life “that brought only joy and happiness to people”.
It’s not an inanimate object, it’s a beautiful life. So, with this legal story a couple of questions arise: firstly, is this a case of criminal damage or ecocide? Secondly, if killing a tree results in a custodial sentence, why are we seeing so many trees being killed across the country without any criminal investigation or sentencing? Is it acceptable for corporates and councils to destroy trees, but not so by two men on a “moronic mission”? https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/25315781.sycamore-gap-men-jailed-4-years-felling-iconic-tree/
“Thousands of trees were felled as part of a £2.2bn street improvement project” in Sheffield back in 2012. “…the authority and contractor, Amey, had ignored the value of street trees and did not anticipate the views of significant numbers of residents”. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-64863130
In Plymouth, in March 2023, 119 trees were felled in the city centre, under cover of darkness, despite outrage from many of its citizens. A subsequent court case hit the national headlines and a report stated “council failings in governance, project management, engagement, and staff wellbeing.” https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/armada-way-trees-council-told-10205168
In Derbyshire recently, dozens of trees were felled beside a railway line. Network Rail contractors stated it was for “essential vegetation management”; however, residents and a local councillor feel the work was: “absolutely devastating for the area”. “Contractors had gone far and beyond what they needed to do. I just burst into tears. I saw the birds, the thrushes, and it was just heartbreaking”. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0719jmjxx0o
The beautiful Sycamore Gap tree is representative of all trees, each and every tree is a life which gives oxygen, temperature protection, soil stability, absorbs pollution and provides habitat for thousands of insects, birds, mammals, lichen, fungi and moss. We all need to rethink trees – respect trees, respect what they do for us and every living being on this planet and stand up for their right to life.
#RebelBotanists 