Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) has been named by the National 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.
Announced in National Tree Week, CNTW will receive one of the 49 saplings, which represents the tree’s height in feet at the time of felling.
The National Trust received nearly 500 applications for the saplings grown from the much-loved Northumberland tree.
James Duncan, Chief Executive at CNTW, said: “We are honoured to receive a sapling from the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, which has meant so much to so many people.
“We understand the importance of nature in supporting mental health and wellbeing and also recognise this tree’s importance and symbolism across our communities. We are proud to give this sapling a home where it can be a beacon of hope, resilience and recovery for years to come.”
In a fitting tribute, the sapling will be planted at CNTW’s Sycamore Unit at Northgate Park in Morpeth.
The unit opened in November last year and is a secure facility for men with mental illness, learning disabilities, or personality disorders. The sapling represents hope and renewal for patients on their recovery journey, as well as offering a tranquil, natural space.
The Sycamore Unit is named after the iconic tree and Sycamore Gap features in much of the artwork on site, designed to create a calming environment. The saplings are currently being cared for at the National Trust’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 across the UK.
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.”
As part of the ‘Trees of Hope’ initiative, Henshaw Church of England Primary School as the closest school to the Sycamore Gap Tree, ‘Tina’s Haven’ [3] in East Durham, ‘Fergus’s Tree [4] in south Bristol along with all 15 UK National Parks will receive a sapling.
Other recipients include 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.
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.