The National Trust has begun planting 49 saplings from the felled Sycamore Gap tree across the UK, including at a pit disaster site, a town healing from the Troubles, and Greenham Common. The saplings, known as 'trees of hope', are intended to ensure the iconic tree lives on in a positive way.
The Sycamore Gap tree, located on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was illegally cut down in September 2023, sparking widespread anger. Seeds collected after the felling have grown into 49 saplings, one for each foot of the tree's height. Nearly 500 applications were received for the saplings, which are now between four and six feet tall.
Five saplings were planted on Saturday, with more to follow during National Tree Week. One sapling will be placed at Greenham Common in Berkshire, site of 1980s women's peace camps. Helen Beard of the Greener Greenham Common Group said it would spread a message of hope for nature and peace. Another sapling was planted in Strabane, County Tyrone, as a symbol of healing and a tribute to John Gallagher, who died from motor neurone disease.
Other plantings on Saturday included the Minnie Pit mining disaster site in Staffordshire, the Tree Sanctuary in Coventry, and Coton Orchard in Cambridgeshire. Later in the week, saplings will be planted at the Rob Burrow centre in Leeds, Hexham general hospital, and a veterans' charity in Sunderland.
Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust's Hadrian's Wall properties, said: 'It's incredible to think that this weekend, the first offspring of this very famous tree will be planted. Over the next couple of years, the saplings will really start to take shape, and because sycamores are so hardy, we're confident they'll be able to withstand a range of conditions.'
