Cumbria police and the National Trust are appealing for information after a sapling grown from the Sycamore Gap tree was stolen from the grounds of Wray Castle in Cumbria, just months after it was planted in April 2025.
Background of the Sycamore Gap Tree
The Sycamore Gap tree, located on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, was one of the UK’s most famous trees. It was illegally felled on a stormy night in September 2023. In July 2024, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were found guilty of the felling and sentenced to over four years in prison.
Saplings as Symbols of Hope
The National Trust collected seeds from the tree, estimated to be at least 100 years old, and successfully salvaged 49 saplings. These were intended to be planted across the country as “signs of hope.” Gardens and historic sites across the UK applied for the saplings, with one site receiving over 500 applications. Fifteen saplings were planted in UK national parks.
One such sapling was planted at Wray Castle in Cumbria in April 2025. However, between 9 and 16 June 2025, it was stolen. Castle staff believe the theft was deliberate. Jez Westgarth, National Trust’s assistant director for Cumbria and Lancashire, told the BBC: “It hasn’t just been pulled up recklessly – somebody’s thought about what they’re doing.”
Appeals for Information
Laura Lee, National Trust’s general manager for the Lake District, said: “We are shocked and saddened that a sapling from the Sycamore Gap tree that was gifted to the Lake District national park and planted at Wray in April 2025 has been stolen. Grown from seeds gathered from the much-loved tree at Hadrian’s Wall, which was illegally felled in 2023, it was one of 15 saplings planted across the UK’s national parks as a symbol of hope and resilience among our most protected landscapes.”
The sapling had also been used to raise awareness for a dementia and bereavement initiative led by the trust. Lee added: “This tree symbolised resilience and renewal, and its loss will be deeply felt. We are working with Cumbria police and ask anyone with information to come forward. While this is a setback, it does not undermine the spirit the tree represents. Acts of care, restoration, and community support remain far stronger. We urge those involved to do the right thing, return the sapling, or come forward. The tree belongs to everyone.”
Broader Impact and Locations
Other saplings have been planted at poignant locations across the UK, including a site commemorating the Minnie Pit mining disaster in Staffordshire, the Tree Sanctuary in Coventry, Coton Orchard in Cambridgeshire, and a site in Strabane, Northern Ireland, which suffered during the Troubles but now fosters resilience and hope.
The original Sycamore Gap tree was a beloved landmark where people celebrated engagements, held picnics, and enjoyed nature. It gained international fame after appearing in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
