The first young trees cultivated from the famous Sycamore Gap tree, which was deliberately cut down in 2023, are now being planted in public spaces across the United Kingdom.
Saturday 22nd November 2025 marks the beginning of this hopeful new chapter as the National Trust begins distributing 49 saplings grown from seeds and material rescued from the original tree.
From Tragedy to New Life
The iconic sycamore, which stood for more than a century in a dramatic dip along Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was illegally felled in September 2023, causing national outrage. Two men, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, received prison sentences of more than four years each for criminal damage to the protected landmark.
Despite the destruction, conservationists moved quickly to salvage what they could from the fallen tree. The National Trust's Plant Conservation Centre successfully cultivated 49 new plants, a number that poignantly represents the original tree's height in feet before it was cut down.
Darryl Beck from the conservation centre described the emotional journey: "At the time when the tree was felled we didn't know whether we would be able to achieve this, whether the seeds were viable or whether any of the grafts would be successful. So when we sowed them into the seed trays and when that first one came up, everyone in the Trust was just so pleased to see that there was hope."
National Distribution Begins
The planting initiative coincides with the start of National Tree Week, with the first five saplings going into the ground on Saturday. More than half of the remaining trees will be planted in the coming days.
Public interest has been overwhelming, with more than 500 applications received from organisations hoping to host one of these special trees. The saplings, now standing between four and six feet tall, will be distributed to carefully selected recipients including:
- The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds
- Holly's Hope in Hexham, which raises awareness of domestic violence
- Veterans' charity, Veterans in Crisis, in Sunderland
- Tree Amigos in Coventry, which rescues trees damaged by vandalism
Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust's Hadrian's Wall properties, expressed his excitement: "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."
Royal Connection and Future Plans
The very first sapling grown from the Sycamore Gap tree was gifted to King Charles last summer and will be planted on behalf of the nation at a later date. This royal connection ensures the tree's legacy will be preserved for generations to come.
Looking ahead to early 2026, another 15 trees will be planted in each of the UK's national parks, including one in Northumberland where the original sycamore stood. This strategic distribution means the tree's descendants will be enjoyed by people across the entire country.
Meanwhile, nature is showing its own resilience at the original site. New shoots have been spotted emerging from the stump since July, raising hopes that over several decades, the tree may regenerate itself in its original location.
The National Trust remains optimistic about the future of both the original site and the new saplings. "Over the next couple of years, the saplings will really start to take shape," noted Poad, "and because sycamores are so hardy, we're confident they'll be able to withstand a range of conditions."
This ambitious project forms part of the National Trust's Trees of Hope scheme, demonstrating how conservation efforts can transform tragedy into opportunity and ensure that beloved natural landmarks continue to inspire future generations.
