Living legacies of the Sycamore Gap tree to grow across all 15 National Parks

Living legacies of the Sycamore Gap tree to grow across all 15 National Parks - National Parks UK

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.

A hand carefully touches one of the two seedlings growing in the ground. — Staff have been carefully nurturing the seedlings at the National Trust's Plant Conservation Centre. Photo: National Trust / James Dobson

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.