Famous English Tree Given New Lease on Life
At the end of September 2023, people around the world were shocked when a well-known, 150-year-old sycamore tree was chopped down.
But the Sycamore Gap tree, as it was known, is going to get a new lease on life.
That's because the National Trust, a UK conservation charity that seeks to protect and open up historic places and green spaces to the general public, has launched an initiative in which 49 saplings from the tree will be given to communities around the UK.
After the tree — that stood near the Roman landmark of Hadrian's Wall in the north of England — was cut down by vandals, the Trust was able to rescue some of its seeds and buds. It has been looking after these for months, and they've grown into saplings.
The tree was made famous around the world when it featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner.
It was popular with landscape photographers and a great place for walkers to rest.
Now, its saplings will be spread across the UK. The UK's 15 national parks will all get one and so will the local elementary school.
People from around the UK have been invited to apply for a tree to plant in publicly accessible spaces.
The initiative is called "Trees of Hope" and aims to "create a new chapter in the life of this legendary tree."
Each of the saplings is expected to be 1.8 meters tall on delivery. The number 49 was chosen because this was the height of the tree in feet when it was cut down.
Forty-nine feet is equal to about 15 meters.
Two men — Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers — have been charged with cutting down the tree and damaging the adjacent wall built by Emperor Hadrian in the year 122.
Prosecutors calculated that the cost of the criminal damage caused to the tree and the wall was about $825,000.
Both men have been released on bail ahead of their trial, which is scheduled for early December.
