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Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust  named as one of the 49 recipients of a ‘Trees of Hope’ Sycamore Gap sapling

Photo of Sycamore Gap supplied by the National Trust

The National Trust has announced Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as one of the recipients of the 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ Sycamore Gap saplings being gifted to individuals, groups, and organisations across the UK. 

The big reveal in National Tree Week [1] follows the charity’s invitation on the anniversary of the felling of the much-loved tree at the end of September for applications for one of the saplings grown from its seed. 

Nearly 500 applications were received for the 49 saplings – one to represent each foot in height that the tree was at the time of felling [2]. The saplings are currently being cared for at the charity’s Plant Conservation Centre, and they should be strong and sturdy enough ready to plant out in winter 2025/26.

The new homes for the saplings will all be in publicly accessible spaces, enabling many more people to feel part of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree’s legacy with recipients from all across the UK including The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds, Holly's Hope in conjunction with Hexham Abbey in Northumberland, and The Tree Sanctuary and Tree Amigos in Coventry.

Damon Kent, managing director of Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management, the estates and facilities subsidiary of the trust said: “We were delighted to have received the news that Northumbria Healthcare has been selected as one of the recipients of the ‘Trees of Hope’ Sycamore Gap sapling.

“Many staff and patients expressed their sadness when the tree was illegally felled in 2023.

The tree played an important role in several parts of our organisation. From staff visiting the tree as part of our Step into Summer health and wellbeing campaign, to our regular photography competitions where many submissions included beautiful photographs of the tree.

“Planting a sapling of one of the most iconic trees in the UK will benefit our patients by symbolising hope for those recovering and also benefit our staff by improving the surroundings of where they work.”

Clare Winter, head of sustainability at Northumbria Healthcare said: “‘We are thrilled to have been accepted to receive a Sycamore Gap sapling on behalf of the trust. The Sycamore Gap tree was and is so important to the heritage of our region and the response from the illegal felling really highlights how much our staff, and wider community acknowledge and care about our green spaces and importance of trees.”

Northumbria Healthcare provides health and care services to support to over 500,000 people across a number of locations in Northumberland and North Tyneside. It is not yet confirmed where the sapling will be planted and the trust plans to announce this in early 2025 and the sapling will be delivered and planted in autumn/winter 2025.

Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian Wall properties said: “Each and every application for a ‘Tree of Hope’ told heartfelt stories of people’s emotional connections to the Sycamore Gap tree and the importance of nature. They spoke of loss, hope and regeneration from all four corners of the country, from towns, schools, colleges, community groups, hospitals and hospices, it’s been a privilege to read them all.

“The tree meant so much to so many and through the ‘Trees of Hope’ initiative we are helping reach people across the nation, for generations to come.

“Each sapling will carry a message of hope with it as they start a new chapter not just for the tree but for all the 49 people and communities that will receive a sapling next year.”

The entries were judged by a panel of experts from the National Trust led by independent judge and arboriculture specialist Catherine Nuttgens.

Catherine commented: “The Sycamore is one of the most architecturally beautiful trees in our landscape. In summer, their dark green leaves create a canopy that looks almost like broccoli, while in winter, they create a silhouette that perfectly depicts what we think of when we think of a tree.

“The loss of any tree can evoke strong emotions - none more so than the Sycamore Gap tree. Its destruction felt utterly senseless, destroying the simple joy it brought to so many people for so many reasons. But the ‘Trees of Hope initiative has kept that sense of joy and hope alive, and it has been truly humbling to read through so many applications but a difficult task to select the final 49 recipients.

“The stories have come from every corner of the UK and every walk of life.  Their words reflect the hope and kindness that human beings are capable of, which feels like such a fitting response to the loss of this precious tree.”

For more information and to find out where in the country all of the 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ saplings will go visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/TreesOfHope.