Trees of Hope recipients announced

Trees of Hope

We received almost 500 applications for the 49 saplings – one to represent each foot in height that the tree was at the time of felling – from all over the UK.

The saplings are currently being cared for by our Plant Conservation Centre, and they should be strong and sturdy enough 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 around 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.

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 towns, schools, colleges, community groups, hospitals and hospices. The judging panel said it has been a privilege to read them all.

Our hope is that 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 as well as the people who visit the trees in future.

The applications 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."

Holly's Hope

Next winter, one of the saplings will be planted not far from Hadrian’s Wall in Hexham, in conjunction with Hexham Abbey, for Holly Newton.

Holly was just 15 years old when she was tragically killed by her ex- boyfriend because he couldn’t accept the end of their relationship in January 2023.

After losing their daughter, Holly’s parents, Micala and Lee, set up Holly’s Hope in April 2024 to raise awareness of the warning signs young people should look out for when experiencing their first relationships.  

Holly’s mum, Micala Trussler, said: “Knowing that we are going to have one of the Sycamore Gap saplings to help remember our daughter, means a lot. This Tree of Hope will be a symbol for everyone that knew her, to reflect and to remember how amazing she was.

It will also inspire and help us push forward with helping other young people, and to bring about positive change and action to help protect anyone who may find themselves at risk.” 

 

 

Case Studies

The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, Leeds

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is building The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) at Seacroft Hospital, which will be a landmark care centre when it opens next year and by winter, its Sycamore Gap sapling will find its new home.

The first of its kind, the vision for the centre’s creation came from the former Leeds Rhino rugby league legend and his consultant neurologist in Leeds, Dr Agam Jung, with the aim of providing a bespoke centre suited to the varied and changing needs of MND patients. Together with state-of-the-art clinical rooms, the space has been designed with light, nature and community at its heart, and it is hoped it will offer a calm and supportive environment for patients and their families. 

The connection to Sycamore Gap runs deep for many in the MND community who have taken on long distance walks and fundraising challenges to help Leeds Hospitals Charity raise money to build the centre, including treks across Northumberland and Hadrian’s Wall.

Rob’s widow Lindsey said: “We have all joined together with equal input to create and design a centre which we believe will inspire and provide hope for the MND community. At our centre’s core is a garden, an area for reflection and hope, and an area we believe will provide comfort for families facing such a dreadful diagnosis.”

 

The Tree Sanctuary and The Tree Amigos, Coventry

In Coventry a ‘Tree of Hope’ will go to The Tree Sanctuary and their young group of ‘Tree Amigos’ who have gained recognition and awards for replanting trees damaged by vandalism in local public spaces.

The Tree Sanctuary is home for unwanted trees as well as nurturing saplings grown from the seeds of ancient trees that have been lost to urban development.  The trees are then planted in a new communal woodland known as Liberty Wood, which was entrusted to the Sanctuary by Coventry City Council.

Martina Irwin from the Tree Sanctuary said: “When we heard about the loss of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree last year, our Tree Amigo group decided to plant locally gathered sycamore seeds to create a living legacy for the species in our urban woodland. 

“We are proud of the respect and dedication our teenagers show for all trees, especially when they are often assumed to be responsible for vandalism of trees. Receiving a Tree of Hope sapling from the original Sycamore Gap tree, gives us all an incredible chance to connect even more people, especially young people, to nature. 

“This special tree will be planted next year among the other 'lost' trees in our care, serving as a beacon to inspire respect, understanding, and a sense of responsibility toward all trees.”

 

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’  in East Durham, ‘Fergus’s Tree’  in south Bristol along with all 15 UK National Parks will all receive a sapling.