London, November 27, 2025
The first saplings grown from the felled Sycamore Gap tree were planted in Devon on November 22, 2025, as part of a national restoration effort to revive this iconic natural landmark lost in 2023. The initiative aims to re-establish the tree’s legacy across the UK through widespread community planting.
Symbolic Replanting and Project Scale
A total of 49 sycamore saplings, each representing a foot of the original tree’s height, were cultivated from seeds and material rescued by the National Trust. Now approximately two meters tall, these saplings were nurtured at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre greenhouse in Devon. The initial planting on November 22 marked the beginning of a broader campaign to distribute and plant these trees nationwide throughout National Tree Week and into 2026.
Nationwide Distribution and Public Engagement
The project, named “Trees of Hope,” generated over 500 applications from individuals and organizations eager to host the saplings. Selected recipients include schools, community groups, forests, and public institutions. Plans are underway to plant at least one sapling in each UK national park, notably within Northumberland National Park, the original tree’s location, to maintain a geographical and historical link with the landmark.
Notable Developments and Future Prospects
Among the first saplings, one was presented to the King in summer 2025 and is destined to become a national symbol. In addition to these saplings, the stump of the original Sycamore Gap tree has displayed new shoots since July 2025, fostering cautious optimism that it might eventually regrow over ensuing decades.
Conservation Significance and Community Impact
National Trust officials and conservation experts emphasize that the saplings represent renewal and a collective commitment to environmental stewardship. The initiative highlights the importance of reconnecting communities with nature and serves as a tribute to resilience following the tree’s deliberate destruction in 2023.
Background of the Sycamore Gap Tree Incident
The original Sycamore Gap tree was an emblematic natural feature beside Hadrian’s Wall for over a century until its deliberate felling in 2023. The loss sparked nationwide concern, prompting the National Trust to safeguard its genetic material and orchestrate this comprehensive regeneration program. The planting of saplings marks a critical phase in restoring the tree’s presence and symbolism for future generations, underscoring broader themes of conservation and heritage protection.