Sycamore Gap’s Rescued Tree Springs to Life with New Growth

New life has sprouted from the rescued seeds and twigs of the Sycamore Gap tree, which was mysteriously cut down last year, offering hope for the iconic tree’s future. BBC News recently visited the secret National Trust center protecting the seedlings, where the new shoots were observed. The Sycamore Gap tree, once nestled in a gap in Hadrian’s Wall, attracted millions of visitors, and its sudden felling in September prompted a national outpouring of shock and dismay. Police are investigating the incident, considering it a “deliberate act of vandalism.”

Only a stump remains, and if it proves healthy, a new tree may eventually grow in its place. The National Trust salvaged young twigs and seeds thrown to the ground during the tree’s felling and preserved them in a high-security greenhouse in Devon. This center protects genetic copies of some of the UK’s most valuable plants and trees, serving as a backup in case of disease outbreaks, storms, or attacks.

The Sycamore Gap tree’s seeds and twigs are now showing promise as green shoots emerge from large pots of soil. While the National Trust is still deciding what to do with them, there are considerations of providing saplings to schools and communities or potentially replacing the stump if it does not regrow. The primary focus currently is on nurturing the tiny shoots, and the greenhouse’s location remains undisclosed to ensure their protection.

The September incident prompted a rapid response to save the genetic material of the Sycamore Gap tree. Local horticulturist Rachel Ryver played a crucial role in collecting scion (young twigs with buds) from the damaged tree, which became vital material for grafting genetic copies of the tree. The collected specimens arrived at the Devon center the next day, where horticulturist Chris Trimmer conducted the grafting process.

Grafting, an ancient technique used by Egyptians and Romans, involves combining fresh roots with living twigs to create a hybrid. The successful grafting of the Sycamore Gap tree’s genetic material has resulted in nine surviving grafted plants and 40–50 seedlings. The center’s experts believe the success rate should be high, as Sycamores are known for their hardiness. However, it will take three years to determine if the stump is healthy enough to produce the next tree.

The sense of responsibility for preserving this iconic tree is substantial, and the horticulturists are closely monitoring the progress of the seedlings. While nothing can bring back the original tree exactly as it was, the new life born from its genetic material will carry its own unique story. The seedlings, hundreds of miles away from their original location, stand as potential successors to the legacy of the Sycamore Gap tree.