Sycamore Gap saplings to spread hope throughout UK
Forty nine Sycamore Gap seedlings will be sent across the country as gifts to individuals – and communities.
Organisations set to receive a tree next year include: The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds, Holly’s Hope in conjunction with Hexham Abbey in Northumberland and The Tree Sanctuary and Tree Amigos in Coventry.
There were nearly 500 applications were received for the 49 saplings – one to represent each foot in height that the tree was at the time of felling
The big reveal in National Tree Week follows the charity’s invitation on the anniversary of the felling of the much-loved tree at the end of September for applications for one of the saplings grown from its seed.
The saplings are currently being cared for by the conservation charity’s Plant Conservation Centre. Experts say they should be strong and sturdy enough ready to plant out in winter 2025/26.
The new homes for the saplings will all be in publicly accessible spaces, enabling many more people to feel part of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree’s legacy.
‘Each and every application for a ‘Tree of Hope’ told heartfelt stories of people’s emotional connections to the Sycamore Gap tree and the importance of nature,’ says Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian Wall properties.
‘They spoke of loss, hope and regeneration from all four corners of the UK, from towns, schools, colleges, community groups, hospitals and hospices, it’s been a privilege to read them all.’
Reaching people ‘across the nation, for generations to come’
‘The tree meant so much to so many and through the ‘Trees of Hope’ initiative we are helping reach people across the nation, for generations to come.’
‘Each sapling will carry a message of hope with it as they start a new chapter not just for the tree but for all the 49 people and communities that will receive a sapling next year.’
‘The Sycamore is one of the most architecturally beautiful trees in our landscape,’ says Catherine Nuttgens who is an arboriculture specialist who led a panel of experts set up to judge the applications.
‘In summer, their dark green leaves create a canopy that looks almost like broccoli, while in winter, they create a silhouette that perfectly depicts what we think of when we think of a tree.’
‘The loss of any tree can evoke strong emotions – none more so than the Sycamore Gap tree. Its destruction felt utterly senseless, destroying the simple joy it brought to so many people for so many reasons.’
‘But the ‘Trees of Hope initiative has kept that sense of joy and hope alive, and it has been truly humbling to read through so many applications but a difficult task to select the final 49 recipients.’
‘The stories have come from every corner of the UK and every walk of life. Their words reflect the hope and kindness that human beings are capable of, which feels like such a fitting response to the loss of this precious tree.’
The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is building The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital, which will be a landmark care centre when it opens next year and by winter, its Sycamore Gap sapling will find its new home.
The first of its kind, the vision for the centre’s creation came from the former Leeds Rhino rugby league legend and his consultant neurologist in Leeds, Dr Agam Jung.
The aim is to provide a bespoke centre suited to the varied and changing needs of MND patients.
Together with state-of-the-art clinical rooms, the space has been designed with light, nature and community at its heart, and it is hoped it will offer a calm and supportive environment for patients and their families.
An artist’s impression of the Rob Burrows Centre for MND at Seacroft in Leeds. Image: Corstorphine and Wright Architects.
The connection to Sycamore Gap runs deep for many in the MND community who have taken on long distance walks and fundraising challenges to help Leeds Hospitals Charity raise money to build the centre, including treks across Northumberland and Hadrian’s Wall.
‘We have all joined together with equal input to create and design a centre which we believe will inspire and provide hope for the MND community,’ says Rob’s widow Lindsey.
‘At our centre’s core is a garden, an area for reflection and hope, and an area we believe will provide comfort for families facing such a dreadful diagnosis.’
Hexham Abbey in Northumberland
A sapling will be planted at Hexham Abbey in Northumberland for Holly Newton. She was just 15 years old when she was tragically killed by her ex-boyfriend because he couldn’t accept the end of their relationship in January 2023.
After losing their daughter, Holly’s parents, Micala and Lee, set up Holly’s Hope in April 2024 to raise awareness of the warning signs young people should look out for when experiencing their first relationships.
‘Knowing that we are going to have one of the sycamore gap saplings to help remember our daughter, means a lot,’ says Holly’s mum, Micala Trussler.
‘This Tree of Hope will be symbol for everyone that knew her, to reflect and to remember how amazing she was.’
‘It will also inspire and help us push forward with helping other young people, and to bring about positive change and action to help protect anyone who may find themselves at risk.’
The Tree Sanctuary and the Tree Amigos
In Coventry a ‘Tree of Hope’ will go to The Tree Sanctuary and their young group of ‘Tree Amigos’ who have gained recognition and awards for replanting trees damaged by vandalism in local public spaces.
The Tree Sanctuary is home for unwanted trees as well as nurturing saplings grown from the seeds of ancient trees that have been lost to urban development.
The trees are then planted in a new communal woodland known as Liberty Wood, which was entrusted to the Sanctuary by Coventry City Council.
The Tree Amigos planting sycamore seeds at The Tree Sanctuary in Coventry. Photograph: Martina Irwin (The Tree Sanctuary). Image provided by The National Trust.
‘When we heard about the loss of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree last year, our Tree Amigo group decided to plant locally gathered sycamore seeds to create a living legacy for the species in our urban woodland,’ says Martina Irwin from the Tree Sanctuary.
‘We are proud of the respect and dedication our teenagers show for all trees, especially when they are often assumed to be responsible for vandalism of trees.’
‘Receiving a Tree of Hope sapling from the original Sycamore Gap tree, gives us all an incredible chance to connect even more people, especially young people, to nature.’
‘This special tree will be planted next year among the other ‘lost’ trees in our care, serving as a beacon to inspire respect, understanding, and a sense of responsibility toward all trees.’
As part of the ‘Trees of Hope’ initiative, saplings will also be provided to Henshaw Church of England Primary School which is the closest school to the Sycamore Gap Tree along with ‘Tina’s Haven’ in East Durham and ‘Fergus’ Tree’ in south Bristol.
All 15 UK National Parks will receive a sapling.