The court heard two men deliberately fell on the famous barrier-free tree on Hadrian's wall with chainsaws.

Prosecutor Richard Wright KC told Newcastle Crown Court that Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, began a "temporary mission" to cut down a tree that has been staying for more than 100 years.

Two people from Cumbria denied two counts of damage to trees and Hadrian’s walls.

Wright said the tree has been dipping in the walls of Northumberland National Park. He said it has become "a famous website, countless copies of the photos, feature films and art."

The court heard that Graham and Carruthers were traveling from the Range Rover in Cumbria at the end of September 27, 2023.

"On Thursday, September 28, at sunrise, the tree was deliberately cut down by a chainsaw for intentional and unconscious criminal damage," Wright said. "It fell on part of Hadrian's wall, causing irreparable damage to the tree and further damage to the wall."

Wright said it was Graham and Carushers who showed "expert expertise and a firm, intentional attitude" in the technology they used.

"First, they marked the predetermined cut with silver spray paint and then cut out a wedge, which would determine the direction of the tree falling. Then, one cut into the trunk, causing the Beetle to fall and hit the wall. What he did was, another shot it, filming the show of Daniel Graham's cell phone."

The wedge was placed in the boots of Graham's Range Rover - "Perhaps a trophy received from the scene to remind them of their actions. Their actions seemed to be intoxicating," Wright said.

"During this time, Mr. Carruthers received videos of his little ones from his partner. He replied to her: 'I have a better video.' A few minutes later, the video of the tree cutting was sent from Graham's phone to Carruthers' phone.

“In this text conversation, the only person in the world who knew the tree was cut down was the one who cut it down.”

The next day, the world media began to report on the tree’s cut, and the two shared social media posts, Wright said Graham’s message Caruserth: “We’re leaving.”

Wright said Carruthers sent Graham a Facebook post by someone named Kevin Hartness, saying: "Some weak people are walking this planet...disgusting behavior."

Two minutes later, Graham said in his voice: "That Kevin Hartness's comment. Weak... fucking weak? Did he realize how heavy it was?"

Carruthers replied in his own voice: "I would like to see Kevin Hartness launch an action like last night...I don't think he has minerals."

Wright said this was “in his own voice, the clearest confirmation is that both Carusus and Graham caused intentional deforestation of trees and subsequent damage to Hadrian’s wall.”

Before being sworn in on Monday, 25 potential jurors were asked to say whether they had “any specific connection, emotion or other means” to Hardrian’s wall or accessibility gap.

Graham of Carlisle and Carruthers of Wigton were charged with criminal damage worth £622,191. They are also charged with causing £1,144 losses to the Hadrian wall of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walls and trees belong to the state trust.

Graham and Carruthers denied all charges against them.

The experiment continues.