The first saplings grown from the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree are set to be planted as National Tree Week begins, according to the National Trust. On Saturday, five saplings will be placed in the ground, marking the start of a week-long initiative to plant more than half of the 49 “trees of hope” derived from the iconic sycamore that stood for over a century along Hadrian’s Wall. The original tree was deliberately cut down in September 2023, leading to widespread outrage and a police investigation. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were later convicted for the illegal felling and received prison sentences exceeding four years. The saplings, numbering 49 to represent the height of the original tree in feet, were cultivated from seeds and materials salvaged from the felled tree. These saplings have been nurtured at the National Trust’s plant conservation centre. The initial planting locations include the Tree Sanctuary in Coventry, where a group of teenagers initiated a project to rescue local trees. Additional saplings will also be planted at a site commemorating the Minnie Pit mining disaster in Staffordshire and at Greenham Common in Berkshire, a former military base that reopened to the public in 2000. Later in the week, saplings will be planted at The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds, Hexham General Hospital in Northumberland, and at Veterans in Crisis in Sunderland. Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian’s Wall properties, expressed enthusiasm about the planting, stating, “It’s incredible to think that this weekend, the first ‘offspring’ of this very famous tree will be planted.” He added that the saplings, now between four and six feet tall, are expected to thrive due to the hardiness of sycamores. The first sapling from the Sycamore Gap tree was presented to the King last summer and will be planted on behalf of the nation at a later date. The National Trust received over 500 applications from communities wishing to host one of the 49 saplings. Among the successful applicants is the Tree Amigos, who established their Tree Sanctuary for unwanted trees in 2023. Co-founder Martina Irwin remarked, “Planting the sapling today will be really special and gives us a great opportunity to connect even more people, especially young people, to nature.” Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, highlighted the efforts of conservationists who salvaged the saplings, stating, “The team has cared for these 49 hopeful saplings beautifully and they’re now ready to be given to communities.” In early November, an additional sapling will be planted at Henshaw Church of England Primary School, the closest school to the Sycamore Gap. Furthermore, 15 saplings are scheduled to be planted in each of the UK’s national parks in early 2026, including one in Northumberland, the original site of the sycamore.