Living legacies of the Sycamore Gap tree to grow across all 15 National Parks
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Date posted: 24/03/2026
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Time to read: 4 mins
Saplings grown from the iconic Sycamore Gap tree will be planted across all 15 UK National Parks, creating a living legacy that will connect the nation’s most protected landscapes.
Main image: the Sycamore Gap tree before its illegal felling in 2023. Photo: David Taylor / Northumberland National Park
The project, which was announced in 2024, delivered by the National Parks in partnership with the National Trust, will see the new generation of trees grown from the original Sycamore Gap tree planted across England, Wales and Scotland.
The first plantings will take place in Northumberland National Park, the home to the original Sycamore Gap tree, as well as Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, reflecting the shared legacy across all three nations, with other National Parks to follow over the coming months.
Each sapling comes directly from the original tree, ensuring its story continues to grow in landscapes cared for by National Park Authority teams working with local communities, partners, farmers and landowners.
Now, its legacy will continue to grow in every National Park, from rugged mountain landscapes to sweeping moorlands and coastal cliffs, connecting these protected places through a living symbol of national heritage.
This moment also coincides with milestone anniversaries for four National Parks marking 75 years since designation: the Peak District National Park, Lake District National Park, Eryri National Park and Dartmoor National Park.
Together, the plantings highlight the long-term role National Parks play in protecting landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage for future generations.
Partnership at the heart
Not all of the trees will be planted on National Park-owned land. Instead, they will be cared for through partnerships within the National Park communities who shape and steward these landscapes every day.
For many, the loss of the Sycamore Gap tree felt like a break in the emotional thread that ties people to special places. These new plantings offer a way to rebuild that bond, honouring a landmark that helped people navigate not just the landscape, but their own memories. While the original tree cannot be replaced, these plantings will ensure its legacy continues for generations to come.
A shared legacy across 15 National Parks
For more than 150 years, the Sycamore Gap tree stood beside Hadrian’s Wall, becoming one of the most recognised and photographed trees in the UK.
National Parks are living, working landscapes, and collaboration with farmers, landowners and local communities is central to their future.
Voices from across the nations
Tony Gates, Chief Executive of Northumberland National Park Authority, said: “For 70 years, Northumberland National Park Authority has been connecting people with the special places in our care. The Sycamore Gap tree stood beside Hadrian’s Wall as a powerful reminder of how important that connection to nature and heritage is for people’s wellbeing. It was more than a tree; it was a landmark where memories were made and cherished, and its loss was felt far beyond the North East. Seeing its legacy grow in National Parks across the UK is a reminder that landscapes connect us all, and that even after damage and loss, nature can recover and endure.”
Gordon Watson, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, 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 has the ability to recover and flourish when we properly take care of it. The planting of the sapling at Benmore Gardens in the National Park ensures the public will be able to connect with its powerful story and legacy.”
Jonathan Cawley, Chief Executive of Eryri National Park, said: “As Eryri marks 75 years as a National Park, it feels particularly meaningful to plant a cutting from such an iconic tree. It is a reminder that conservation is always about the future and the landscapes we leave for the next generation. Planting it at Yr Ysgwrn, a culturally important centre, is particularly poignant, as it serves not only as a symbol of reflection but also of renewal and the enduring connection between people and place.
Mike Innerdale, Regional Director for North England at the National Trust said: “These saplings ensure the story of the Sycamore Gap tree continues to inspire people across the country. Working with National Parks to share this legacy means new generations will see its story grow in some of the UK’s most treasured landscapes.”
A legacy that will continue to grow
Planting will take place across all 15 National Parks over the coming months, with each location carefully chosen to ensure the young trees can thrive.
Once established, the trees will stand as living reminders of the power of nature, the importance of stewardship, and the shared responsibility to care for the landscapes that shape the nation.
From one iconic tree to 15, the legacy of the Sycamore Gap tree will now grow across every National Park in the UK.
👻 Strange sights and spooky stories await in the @Southdownsnp
From mist-shrouded woods and twisted trees to castles beneath the moon, the National Park is home to many eerie spots.
And across our 15 National Parks, there are tales that have endured for centuries, legends still passed down today, and histories with dark chapters.
📸
Ghost in South Downs - Luis Fernando Mancilla
Iping tree - Richard Murray
Harvest moon - Andrew Gambling Photography
Devil’s Dyke - Sam Moore
Stamner Park - Finn Curry
#SouthDowns #Halloween #NationalParks
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Today, Exmoor National Park celebrates years of connecting people with nature, wildlife and the great outdoors.
From England’s largest wild red deer herd and native ponies to Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve and dramatic landscapes, Exmoor is a place full of life, history and discovery.
Its landscapes, wildlife and historic villages bring people closer to nature and create opportunities to explore, connect and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors.
Here’s to Exmoor – and many more adventures to come! 💚
#Exmoor #ExmoorNationalPark #NationalParksUK
Happy birthday @parc_eryri 🎂
From its towering peaks and sweeping valleys to its rich heritage, Eryri (Snowdonia) is a place that means so much to so many people.
It`s a landscape full of stories, shaped by generations of people and home to some of Wales` most treasured places, from the summit of Yr Wyddfa to the quieter corners.
Today, we`re celebrating everything that makes Eryri unique, from the people and traditions that give it its character to the ongoing work to protect its landscapes and wildlife.
Share your favourite memories of Eryri in the comments! 💬
📸Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia @cinqueportsphotography
#Eryri #EryriNationalPark #TheAnswerIsNationalParks
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From leaving fallen leaves to providing food for birds, small actions can make a big difference to the world around us.
Here are some of the ways to help nature this season.
#NatureRecovery #Autumn #NationalParks
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Historic landmarks like Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park have been connecting people for centuries.
While that connection looks very different today from the wall’s original role as a Roman defensive fortification, it’s still a place where people come together and explore history.
Because our National Parks are about so much more than great places for a day out. They’re places to connect with friends, clear your head, get active and learn about history, all in one place.
#Northumberland #HadriansWall #NationalParksUK
They’re more than just pretty places. 🌳
Our National Parks are home to some incredible trees, from ancient giants to England’s tallest tree.
Swipe through for a few #WildFacts about the trees growing across our 15 National Parks.
#NationalParksUK #Trees #Woodland
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Places to connect, discover and look a little closer.
We’d love to see your images of autumn in action in a National Park. Tag us or use the hashtag #AutumnInAction 🧡
#NationalParks #Autumn
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But they do both know their landscapes well, protect the places they love and guide others to find their way.
Across the UK’s 15 National Parks, our Rangers are taking action every day. They may not be defending the Shire from the forces of darkness, but they certainly do an incredibly important job. 💚
#MiddleEarth #Rangers #NationalParksUK
