A sapling from the deliberately felled Sycamore Gap tree has been planted in a Scottish national park.Dozens of plants have been produced from seeds and material rescued from the famous tree, which stood for more than a century in a dip along Hadrian’s Wall before it was illegally cut down in September 2023.
The incident sparked a national outcry and led to two men being jailed for more than four years for criminal damage to the Northumberland landmark.
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The Sycamore Gap tree before it was felled. Pic: National Trust
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The Sycamore Gap tree after it was felled. Pic: PA
One of the saplings – named Tree of Hope – has now found a home at Benmore Botanic Garden within the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, which forms part of Loch Lomond And The Trossachs National Park.It is part of efforts to disperse the iconic tree’s living legacy across all 15 UK national parks, running in partnership with the National Trust.
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Pic: Loch Lomond And The Trossachs National Park
Gordon Watson, chief executive of Loch Lomond And The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “The planting of the Sycamore Gap saplings across our 15 national parks represents an inspiring symbol of hope.”It sends a message that even from the most destructive of actions, nature can recover and flourish when we properly take care of it.
“The planting of the sapling at Benmore Botanic Gardens in the national park ensures the public will be able to connect with its powerful story and legacy for generations to come.”Read more:What future do you want for Sycamore Gap tree?
The very first sapling grown from the Sycamore Gap tree was gifted to King Charles in the summer of 2024.And then in November 2025, other saplings were given to individuals, community groups and organisations across the UK to plant.
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Moment Sycamore Gap tree cut down
Loch Lomond And The Trossachs National Park is one of three parks chosen for the first wave of plantings, alongside Northumberland National Park – home to the original tree, and Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.Meanwhile, the stump of the Sycamore Gap tree has since shown signs of life with new shoots seen emerging from the base.The National Trust said it is hopeful that if left to grow, the shoots “could develop significant new growth to form as ‘new’ trees around the original stump”.
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The Sycamore Gap tree stump pictured in 2024. Pic: PA
The sapling planting in Scotland took place on Thursday within the grounds of Benmore House and in the shadow of a mature sycamore tree that dates back more than 100 years.The sapling will be cared for as part of the garden’s world-class living collection, managed by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.It comes more than a year after Benmore itself suffered around 300 tree losses when Storm Eowyn swept in across the country.
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Pic: Loch Lomond And The Trossachs National Park
Dr Julia Knights, regius keeper of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – which includes Benmore Botanic Garden, said: “Nearly all life depends on plants and fungi, and both are key to our health, wellbeing, and connectivity to nature.”As this sapling matures and grows it will stand as a living reminder of the importance of our natural world, and the urgent need to protect it, an urgency which drives our world-leading science and conservation work across our four botanic gardens in Scotland.”
