Gap's 'Trees of Hope'

Saplings ready to be planted

- BY MATT NIXSON

THE first of 49 Sycamore Gap saplings from the National Trust’s Trees of Hope initiative will be planted this weekend.

The scheme was launched by the charity in September 2024 to find homes for saplings grown from the beloved Sycamore Gap tree.

The thriving plants will now be given to individuals, community groups and organisations across the UK.

The 120-year-old tree, located next to Hadrian’s Wall, in Northumberland, was deliberately felled in September 2023.

Nearly 500 applications were received for the 49 saplings — one to represent each foot in height that the tree was at the time it was cut down.

The plantings, now between 4ft-6ft tall, were grown from seeds rescued from the felled tree, and have been carefully nurtured at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre in Devon.

Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, said: “It was the quick thinking of our conservationists in the aftermath of the felling that allowed the tree to live on.