The first young trees cultivated from the famous Sycamore Gap tree, which was deliberately cut down in an act of vandalism, have now been planted in various locations across the United Kingdom. This symbolic initiative launches as the country observes National Tree Week, offering a message of regrowth and resilience.
A National Outcry Leads to New Beginnings
The original sycamore, which had stood for over a century in a dramatic dip alongside Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was illegally felled overnight in September 2023. The shocking incident provoked widespread anger and a significant police investigation. Earlier this year, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were found guilty of the crime and sentenced to prison terms totalling more than four years.
Where the 'Trees of Hope' Are Taking Root
From the seeds and cuttings rescued from the fallen tree, 49 saplings were carefully nurtured at the National Trust's plant conservation centre. The number was chosen to honour the tree's height in feet at the time it was cut down. On Saturday, the first five of these 'trees of hope' were put into the ground, with more than half of the total expected to be planted during National Tree Week.
The first saplings, which now stand between four and six feet tall, have been placed at several meaningful sites:
- The Tree Sanctuary in Coventry, a project established by a trio of teenagers dedicated to rescuing urban trees.
- A site in Staffordshire that commemorates the Minnie Pit mining disaster.
- Greenham Common in Berkshire, the former military base and protest camp that reopened to the public in 2000.
Future Plantings and Widespread Interest
Further plantings are scheduled throughout the week at locations including the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds, Hexham General Hospital, and the veterans' charity Veterans in Crisis in Sunderland. The National Trust revealed it received more than 500 applications from groups hoping to host one of the precious 49 saplings.
One successful applicant, the Tree Amigos, planted their sapling on Sowe Common North after creating a sanctuary for unwanted trees. An additional sapling has been gifted to Henshaw Church of England Primary School, the school closest to the original Sycamore Gap, and will be planted in its grounds early next month.
Looking ahead to early 2026, another 15 saplings will be planted in each of the UK's national parks, ensuring a lasting legacy for the iconic tree, including one in Northumberland, the sycamore's original home.
