Sycamore Gap Tree One Year On

The National Trust has this morning announced more details to help inspire people and communities to apply for one of the 491 ‘Trees of Hope’ – grown from seed from the sycamore gap tree which formerly stood proudly in the gap, towering above Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park, until it was illegally felled, one year ago.

The ‘Trees of Hope’ initiative aims to ensure that the legacy of the iconic tree lives on for generations to come and can benefit people and communities all across the UK.

Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust said: “The response to the illegal felling of the Sycamore Gap tree really shone a light on the importance of nature in our both our daily lives and as part of our cultural heritage as a nation.

“We’ve received so many stories and letters about people’s connections with the tree – from marriage proposals under its branches, to fond holiday memories, and poignant reminders of family and friends. So, it was really important to us that we’d made sure the tree had a lasting and positive legacy.

“Today we’re inviting people and communities all around the UK to apply for one of the new saplings grown from this much-loved sycamore. By doing this, we hope to share a remarkable piece of living history with many more people, and help bring more nature to towns and cities for generations to come.”

Nikki Crowley, who is leading the initiative for the National Trust added: “The thousands of messages from people who wanted to share just what the tree meant to them really did make it feel like the peoples’ tree and that helped us decide on the future of the saplings.

“The 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ will be gifted to individuals and communities to plant in publicly accessible spaces, with each tree telling a story of hope, wellbeing, culture, celebration, recovery or connection with nature.”

To help inspire people to apply, the conservation charity has revealed details of two places which will also receive a sapling once they are hardy enough to plant outside3. One in the north east, and one in south Bristol.

Tina’s Haven on the Durham coast is an area of National Trust land being restored for nature with the aim of enhancing recovery for both people and nature.

The charity’s ambition is that the land at Tina’s Haven will be developed with the communities of East Durham, one of the most economically deprived former mining areas in the region. The programme is named in memory of Tina Robson – a young woman who lost her life to addiction – and the aim is for Tina’s ‘Tree of Hope’ to form part of this community nature reserve.

The National Trust will also be planting over 20,000 trees at the site, a reflection of the charity’s ambitions to plant thousands more trees across the region, thanks in part to funds donated to the charity’s fundraising campaign after the sycamore gap tree was felled – but also nature conservation.

A second tree will also be planted in south Bristol – to celebrate the life of a young boy, Fergus who sadly died of bone cancer at just 12 years old, and as a symbol of hope and recognition for all those suffering from childhood cancers and the families affected.

For more information and to request a sapling, visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/TreesOfHope

The closing date for entries is 25 October 20242, with successful applicants to be announced towards the end of November, during National Tree Week.

To make a donation towards the National Trust’s tree planting ambitions or conservation work in the area, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hadrians-wall-appeal

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