Sycamore Gap legacy to take root in Byker

A sapling from the beloved Sycamore Gap tree is set to take root at a new youth and community hub in Newcastle.

The Lighthouse Project at St Michael's Church in Byker has been selected as one of 49 recipients of the National Trust’s ‘Trees of Hope’ initiative, which gifts saplings grown from the iconic Sycamore Gap tree.

The hub, opening next spring, will provide a safe space offering a variety of services for 1,500 young people and families annually, including youth clubs, wellbeing programmes and arts facilities.

Ben Roman, operations director at The Lighthouse Project, said: “Our outside spaces will play a very important role in the life of the Lighthouse Project, with some beautiful trees already in place. 

“It’s a huge honour and privilege for us to now be receiving one of the Sycamore Gap saplings to plant among them.

“We felt we offered a perfect example of the type of regeneration and renewal that the Trees of Hope project embodies, and that having one of the saplings here would be something very significant for the wider local community.

“Byker might not be somewhere that you’d expect this sapling to naturally find a home, but it will hopefully help the beautiful green spaces and natural resources that there already are across the area gain greater recognition.

“Our Sycamore Gap sapling will be looked after and nurtured here in the same way that we’re aiming to look after and nurture young people in our community, and we can’t wait to see something so special arriving in Byker.”

The saplings were cultivated at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre following the felling of the original tree last year, with nearly 500 applications for the 49 available, each representing one foot of the tree’s original height.

Recipients, including schools, community organisations and national parks, will plant the saplings in publicly accessible spaces, ensuring the tree’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian Wall properties, added: “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 added: “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.”

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