The first living descendants of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree are being planted across the UK this week, creating a powerful legacy after the beloved landmark was illegally cut down last year.
A New Chapter Begins
The National Trust has announced that five saplings will be planted on Saturday to mark the beginning of National Tree Week. This initiates the planting of more than half of the 49 carefully nurtured 'trees of hope', all grown from seeds and cuttings taken from the original tree.
The sycamore, which stood for over a century in a dramatic dip along Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was deliberately felled overnight in September 2023. The act prompted national outrage and a significant police investigation that led to the conviction of two individuals.
Earlier this year, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were found guilty of the illegal felling and were each sentenced to more than four years in prison for their actions.
From Tragedy to Hope
The number of saplings holds special significance, with 49 representing the tree's height in feet at the time it was cut down. Rescued material from the felled giant was carefully nurtured at the National Trust's specialist plant conservation centre, where these new trees began their life.
Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust's Hadrian's Wall properties, expressed his amazement at the progress: "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."
Where Hope Takes Root
The first planting locations reflect the saplings' role as symbols of resilience and community spirit. Saplings will be planted at the Tree Sanctuary in Coventry, established by a group of teenagers working to rescue urban trees.
Other significant sites receiving trees on Saturday include a memorial for the Minnie Pit mining disaster in Staffordshire and Greenham Common in Berkshire, a former military base and protest camp that reopened to the public in 2000.
Later in the week, plantings will continue at The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds, Hexham General Hospital in Northumberland, and Veterans in Crisis, a charity supporting former service personnel in Sunderland.
Martina Irwin, co-founder of the Tree Sanctuary in Coventry, explained the importance of their sapling: "Planting the sapling today will be really special and gives us a great opportunity to connect even more people, especially young people, to nature. We hope it will encourage the next generation to join in with future tree-planting projects."
The National Trust received more than 500 applications from communities hoping to host one of the precious 49 saplings. Hilary McGrady, the Trust's director general, credited her team's quick thinking after the felling for enabling this hopeful outcome.
Additional plantings are scheduled, including one at Henshaw Church of England Primary School, the school closest to the original Sycamore Gap site, early next month. Looking further ahead, another 15 saplings will be planted in each of the UK's national parks in early 2026, including one in Northumberland where the original tree once stood.
The very first sapling grown from the Sycamore Gap tree was presented to King Charles last summer and will be planted on behalf of the nation at a future date.
