A sapling grown from the iconic Sycamore Gap tree has been planted at Yr Ysgwrn in Eryri National Park today, creating a lasting legacy from one of the UK’s most recognised natural landmarks.
The planting forms part of a UK-wide initiative, led by National Parks UK and Northumberland National Park in partnership with the National Trust, which will see cuttings from the original tree planted across all fifteen UK National Parks.
For more than a century, the Sycamore Gap tree stood beside Hadrian’s Wall. While the original tree cannot be replaced, this new generation of trees will ensure its legacy continues to grow.
In Eryri, the sapling will be planted at Yr Ysgwrn, the historic home of Hedd Wyn and a place deeply rooted in Welsh language, culture and identity. As a site of national cultural significance, Yr Ysgwrn offers a meaningful setting for a tree that represents the unity of 15 National Parks.
This moment also comes as Eryri National Park marks its 75th anniversary, reinforcing the role the National Parks has in protecting landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage.
Jonathan Cawley, Chief Executive of Eryri National Park Authority, said:
“As Eryri marks 75 years as a National Park, it feels particularly meaningful to plant a cutting from such an iconic tree. It is a reminder that conservation is always about the future and the landscapes we leave for the next generation.
Planting it at Yr Ysgwrn, a culturally important centre, is particularly poignant, as it serves not only as a symbol of reflection but also of renewal and the enduring connection between people and place.”
Each sapling has been grown directly from the original tree, ensuring a genuine link to the Sycamore Gap and its story, and the bond between all of the 15 National Parks.