The National Trust has announced Treetops Hospice as one of the recipients of the ‘Trees of Hope’ Sycamore Gap saplings being gifted to individuals, groups, and organisations across the UK.
The 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ have been grown from seed from the Sycamore Gap tree which formerly stood in the gap above Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park, until it was illegally felled last September.
Treetops Hospice will plant the sapling on its 12.5-acre grounds in Risley, Derbyshire.
Julie Heath, Treetops Chief Executive, explained how delighted the hospice is to become part of the Sycamore Gap tree’s legacy:
“It’s a real honour for us to have been chosen to receive one of the ‘Trees of Hope’ to plant here at Treetops.
Our grounds and gardens are incredibly important to us and play a vital role in the wellbeing of hundreds of our patients and counselling clients every year.
“Our grounds are also open to the general public and we hope they will visit the sapling when it is planted here next year.”
Nearly 500 applications were received for the 49 saplings – one to represent each foot in height that the tree was at the time of felling. The saplings are currently being cared for at the charity’s Plant Conservation Centre. They should be strong enough ready to plant out in winter 2025/26.
Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian Wall properties said:
“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.”
The entries were judged by a panel of experts from the National Trust led by independent judge and arboriculture specialist Catherine Nuttgens
Catherine commented: “The Sycamore is one of the most architecturally beautiful trees in our landscape. In summer, their dark green leaves create a canopy that looks almost like broccoli, while in winter, they create a silhouette that perfectly depicts what we think of when we think of a tree.
“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.”
Treetops Hospice, one of the leading end-of-life care charities in Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families.
Treetops Hospice is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need. The charity welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate
For more information and to find out where in the country all of the 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ saplings will go, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/TreesOfHope
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| Photo thumbnail | Notes |
| The original Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland National Park
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| Julie Heath, Chief Executive, Treetops Hospice |
For all media enquiries, please contact Katharine Lightbown, Digital Content & PR Lead at katharine@treetops.org.ukor call 07342 871283.
About Treetops Hospice
Treetops Hospice, one of the leading end-of-life care charities in Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families.
The charity provides support from diagnosis onwards for patients with conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart and respiratory conditions.
In 2023, we were very proud to celebrate 40 years of caring for people and their families in our local community. We achieved this amazing milestone thanks to our dedicated volunteers who help across the whole hospice and in our charity shops, our hard-working staff team, and our supporters, past and present.
Last year, our team of nurses provided almost 18,000 hours of care to terminally-ill patients during the night to give much-needed support.
Our team of bereavement counsellors provided over 4,200 counselling sessions – more than 1,200 of them to children and young people. Wellbeing team members provide valuable information and support to those who need it.
Treetops is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need and welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate
A donation of £34.50 helps provide a counselling session for a bereaved child. A donation of £108 helps provide nursing care through the night for a patient at the end of life.
Treetops Hospice Trust, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire, DE72 3SS
0115 949 1264 | www.treetopshospice.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 519540
About the ‘Trees of Hope’
The Sycamore Gap tree was 15 metres (49.2 feet) in height when it was felled. Forty-nine trees are forming part of this initiative, with each tree representing one foot in height of the tree when it was illegally felled on the evening of 27 September 2023.
The first sycamore gap sapling to successfully grow from seed from the felled tree was gifted to His Majesty the King in Honour of Celebration Day in May for planting in winter 2025/26 in Windsor Great Park for visitors to enjoy as a symbol of the hope and beauty that can come from loss.
About the National Trust
The National Trust is an independent conservation charity founded in 1895 by three people: Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley, who saw the importance of the nation’s heritage and open spaces and wanted to preserve them for everyone to enjoy. Today, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the National Trust continue to look after places so people and nature can thrive.
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