Sycamore Gap tree saplings to branch out across Britain

Its destruction triggered outcry and sadness across the nation but now, 12 months on from the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, saplings of it are to be planted across the UK. Custodians of the much-photographed and visited sycamore say they hope the venture, which comes exactly a year after the tree was chopped down, will create a new chapter of hope in its legacy.

- ALEX ROSS

The Trees of Hope project will see a total of 49 saplings, each representing a foot of the height of the tree, gifted to communities across the country for planting in publicly accessible spaces. Groups are being invited to apply for the saplings by the National Trust and Northumberland national park.

It begins a new era for the Sycamore Gap tree, which was a longstanding feature above Hadrian’s Wall before it was illegally felled on the night of 27 September last year. Early reports at the time suggested it had been brought down by a storm, but it quickly emerged that the iconic tree had been chopped down.

Two men charged with criminal damage over the felling of the tree will face trial in December. They have denied the charges.