The first saplings grown from the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree will be planted as National Tree Week commences. The National Trust announced that five saplings will be put in the ground on **November 22, 2023**, marking a poignant moment in the aftermath of the tree’s destruction, which sparked national outrage. More than half of the **49** saplings, representing the tree’s height in feet when it was cut down, are expected to be planted throughout the week.
The historic sycamore, which had stood for over a century near Hadrian’s Wall, was deliberately cut down in **September 2023**. This act led to a police investigation and the eventual conviction of **Daniel Graham** and **Adam Carruthers**, who were sentenced to more than four years in prison for their actions. The saplings were grown from seeds and other material salvaged from the felled tree, nurtured at the National Trust’s plant conservation center.
Communities Unite to Plant “Trees of Hope”
Among the first locations to plant the saplings is the Tree Sanctuary in **Coventry**, where a group of teenagers initiated a project to rescue trees in their city. Additional saplings will be planted at sites of historical significance, including a memorial for the **Minnie Pit mining disaster** in **Staffordshire** and at the former military base of **Greenham Common**, which reopened to the public in 2000.
As part of the planting initiative, saplings will also be introduced at the **Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease** in **Leeds**, **Hexham General Hospital** in **Northumberland**, and at the veterans’ charity **Veterans in Crisis** in **Sunderland**. Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian’s Wall properties, expressed excitement about the saplings’ growth, saying, “It’s incredible to think that this weekend, the first ‘offspring’ of this very famous tree will be planted.”
The original sycamore gained significant national attention, with over **500** applications submitted to host one of the saplings. The very first sapling was gifted to the King last summer and will be planted later on behalf of the nation.
Inspiring Future Generations
Martina Irwin, a co-founder of the Tree Sanctuary, highlighted the importance of this planting event. “Planting the sapling today will be really special and gives us a great opportunity to connect even more people, especially young people, to nature,” she stated. The Tree Sanctuary aims to inspire respect and responsibility toward trees, hoping to encourage future generations to engage in tree-planting projects.
Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, emphasized the significance of the saplings. “The quick-thinking of our conservationists in the aftermath of the felling has allowed the Sycamore Gap tree to live on,” she noted. The saplings are intended to serve as sources of inspiration, places for reflection, and reminders of the resilience of nature.
In early December, an additional sapling will be planted at **Henshaw Church of England Primary School**, the closest school to the original tree. Furthermore, **15** saplings are slated to be planted across each of the UK’s national parks in early **2026**, including one in **Northumberland**, where the iconic sycamore once thrived.
The planting of these saplings not only honors a beloved tree but also signifies hope and community action in the face of adversity. The National Trust looks forward to witnessing the growth of these young trees and their impact on communities across the country.
