The beloved Sycamore Gap tree, an iconic natural landmark in Northumberland that inspired poets and filmmakers, has been given a remarkable new lease on life. This weekend, 49 saplings cultivated from the tree illegally felled in 2023 are being planted at community sites across the United Kingdom.
A National Outrage and a New Beginning
The original 200-year-old sycamore, which stood proudly by Hadrian's Wall, was brutally cut down on September 28, 2023. Two men, Adam Carruthers, 32, and Daniel Graham, 39, were later jailed for more than four years for criminal damage after driving 40 minutes to fell the tree in an act they described as "a bit of a laugh". The felling, which took just two minutes and forty-one seconds, sparked national outrage.
In the aftermath, quick-thinking conservationists from the National Trust, which manages the site, rescued seeds from the felled tree. These seeds were nurtured into 49 young trees at a high-security, secret greenhouse in Devon. The number of saplings symbolically represents each foot of the original tree's height.
The 'Tree of Hope' Takes Root Nationwide
This initiative, known as the Tree of Hope scheme, is now seeing the first of these "offspring" planted at symbolic and community-focused locations. This weekend, saplings are putting down roots at sites including Greenham Common in Berkshire, a tree sanctuary established by teenagers in Coventry, and a former mining site in Staffordshire.
Further plantings are scheduled for next week outside hospitals in Leeds and Northumberland, as well as at a charity for war veterans in Sunderland. Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust, stated: "The team has cared for these 49 hopeful saplings beautifully and they're now ready to be given to communities, where they'll become a source of inspiration, a place to reflect, a home for nature or simply a reminder that there are always good things worth fighting for."
A Living Legacy for the Future
The project aims to ensure the spirit of the Sycamore Gap tree lives on, touching many people's lives. 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 – it feels like just yesterday that those tentative first shoots appeared."
He added that because sycamores are hardy, the trust is confident the saplings will withstand a range of conditions as they mature over the coming years. The first sapling was presented to King Charles last summer and will be planted on behalf of the nation at a later date.
Additional plantings are planned for early 2026, with a further 15 young trees set to be placed across the UK's National Parks, including Northumberland National Park, the original home of the landmark. The nearest school to Sycamore Gap, Henshaw Church of England Primary School, will also receive a sapling early next month.
Martina Irwin, a co-founder of the Tree Sanctuary in Coventry, highlighted the significance for younger generations: "Planting the sapling today will be really special and gives us a great opportunity to connect even more people, especially young people, to nature."
