It was a scene that shocked the nation: the Sycamore Gap tree, a solitary and much-loved landmark on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, felled overnight in September 2023. The tree, immortalized by poets and filmmakers and standing for more than a century, was cut down in a senseless act that sparked outrage and widespread mourning across the UK. But two years on, the story has taken a hopeful turn, as the first saplings grown from the iconic tree are now being planted across the country, offering a powerful symbol of renewal and resilience.
The National Trust, which manages the historic site, announced that the first five saplings grown from seeds and material rescued from the felled Sycamore Gap tree were planted on November 22, 2025—coinciding with the start of National Tree Week. In total, 49 saplings have been cultivated, each representing a foot of the original tree’s height, according to Sky News. The saplings, now between four and six feet tall, were nurtured at a high-security, secret greenhouse in Devon, as reported by Metro.
The act that led to this moment was both shocking and swift. Adam Carruthers, 32, and Daniel Graham, 39, drove 40 minutes under cover of darkness to cut down the 200-year-old sycamore, a process that took just two minutes and 41 seconds, according to evidence presented at Newcastle Crown Court. The pair later admitted that they did it for "a bit of a laugh." In July 2025, they were sentenced to more than four years in prison for two counts of criminal damage—one to the tree itself, and another for damaging the ancient Hadrian’s Wall in the process, as detailed by Metro and The Guardian.
Yet, the story didn’t end with the loss. In the days following the felling, National Trust conservationists acted quickly to salvage seeds and viable grafts from the remains of the tree. "It was the quick thinking of our conservationists in the aftermath of the felling that has allowed the Sycamore Gap tree to live on," said Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust, in a statement quoted by Metro. "The team has cared for these 49 hopeful saplings beautifully and they’re now ready to be given to communities, where they’ll become a source of inspiration, a place to reflect, a home for nature or simply a reminder that there are always good things worth fighting for, even after something so senseless. We’re looking forward to seeing them thrive."
The planting of these saplings has been carefully orchestrated to maximize their symbolic value. This weekend, the first trees were put down roots at sites with deep community resonance: Greenham Common in Berkshire, a former military base turned public park; a tree sanctuary in Coventry founded by teenagers; and a memorial site for the Minnie Pit mining disaster in Staffordshire. According to BBC and Sky News, additional saplings are being planted next week outside hospitals in Leeds and Northumberland, and at a veterans’ charity in Sunderland.
More than 500 applications poured in from across the UK to host one of the saplings, highlighting the depth of public attachment to the Sycamore Gap tree. The Tree Sanctuary in Coventry, run by the group Tree Amigos, was among the first recipients. Martina Irwin, a co-founder of the sanctuary, described the planting as "really special and gives us a great opportunity to connect even more people, especially young people, to nature. We’ve chosen to plant it among some other ‘saved’ trees that we have planted on Sowe Common, serving as a beacon to inspire respect, understanding, and a sense of responsibility toward all trees."
Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian’s Wall properties, echoed this sense of hope and continuity. "It’s incredible to think that this weekend the first ‘offspring’ of this very famous tree will be planted – it feels like just yesterday that those tentative first shoots appeared. Over the next couple of years, the saplings will really start to take shape, and because sycamores are so hardy, we’re confident they’ll be able to withstand a range of conditions," he told Metro.
The National Trust’s Darryl Beck, who oversaw the growth of the saplings at the Plant Conservation Centre, admitted that the outcome was far from certain at the outset. "At the time when the tree was felled we didn’t know whether we would be able to achieve this, whether the seeds were viable or whether any of the grafts would be successful. So when... we sowed them into the seed trays and when that first one came up, everyone in the Trust was just so pleased to see that there was hope. Two years later, we’ve got some very nice trees going out, they’re about two metres tall now. We’re really looking forward to seeing these trees thriving in the landscape," he told Sky News.
The legacy of the Sycamore Gap tree will continue to grow in the months and years ahead. The very first sapling cultivated from the felled tree was presented to the King in the summer of 2025 and will be planted on behalf of the nation at a later date. Early in December, another sapling will be planted at Henshaw Church of England Primary School, the closest school to the original site. And the National Trust has announced plans for an additional 15 saplings to be planted in each of the UK’s national parks in early 2026, including Northumberland National Park, where the original tree once stood, as reported by The Guardian and Metro.
In a twist that has offered further hope, the stump of the original Sycamore Gap tree is showing signs of life. In July 2025, new shoots were observed sprouting from its base. The National Trust has expressed cautious optimism that, over several decades, the tree may regrow—an outcome that would add another chapter to this remarkable story of loss and renewal.
For now, the focus remains on the new generation of sycamores taking root across the country. The saplings are not just replacements for what was lost; they are living reminders of the enduring connection between people and nature, and the power of collective action to turn tragedy into hope. As communities gather to plant these trees, the story of the Sycamore Gap continues—not as an ending, but as a new beginning.
