PREVIEW

The National Trust has unveiled the recipients of 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ saplings grown from seeds of the beloved - and sadly chopped down - Sycamore Gap tree.

The tree, which famously appeared in the film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, was felled last year in a widely condemned act of destruction. The announcement coincides with National Tree Week.

The 49 saplings—representing the height in feet of the original tree—will be planted in publicly accessible spaces across the UK by winter 2025/26. Among the recipients are community groups, schools, and organisations with compelling connections to the theme of hope and renewal.

Recipients include The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds, Holly’s Hope in collaboration with Hexham Abbey, and The Tree Sanctuary in Coventry. Nearly 500 heartfelt applications were submitted, highlighting the profound emotional impact of the Sycamore Gap tree on communities nationwide.

Andrew Poad, General Manager of the National Trust’s Hadrian’s Wall properties, expressed his gratitude for the submissions: “The stories reflected loss, hope, and the enduring power of nature. These saplings will carry forward the memory of the Sycamore Gap tree, offering new beginnings for people and communities across the country.”

One sapling will take root at the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, a pioneering facility in Leeds designed with light, nature, and community at its core. Lindsey Burrow, widow of rugby legend Rob Burrow, said: “At our centre’s heart is a garden, a place of reflection and hope. The Sycamore Gap sapling will symbolise comfort and inspiration for families facing difficult times.”

Another will honour Holly Newton, a Northumberland teenager tragically killed in 2023. Her parents, who founded Holly’s Hope to raise awareness of relationship safety, called the sapling a “symbol for everyone who knew Holly to reflect and remember her amazing spirit.”

In Coventry, The Tree Sanctuary and its youth-led ‘Tree Amigos’ group, known for replanting vandalised trees, will also receive a sapling. Martina Irwin from the Sanctuary said: “This special tree will inspire young people to connect with nature and take responsibility for its protection.”

The saplings, nurtured by the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre, will grow into enduring symbols of resilience, uniting communities and preserving the Sycamore Gap tree’s legacy for future generations.