Sycamore Gap Tree Revived as Seedlings Sprout in Secret Lab

Following a deliberate act of vandalism in September, the National Trust has taken steps to ensure the legacy of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, which stood for centuries by Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland before being illegally felled. The conservation team managed to salvage seeds and twigs from the damaged tree and has since cultivated approximately 45 seedlings and nurtured nine plants through grafting techniques. These specimens are now growing in a high-security greenhouse in Devon, alongside genetic copies of other notable UK flora, such as Sir Isaac Newton’s apple tree and the ancient Ankerwycke yew.

The effort to regenerate the Sycamore Gap tree, which gained fame through its appearance in the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," involves five grafted clones and numerous seedlings. While there is hope for the tree's legacy to continue, the National Trust is taking precautions against pests such as slugs and aphids that could threaten the young plants' growth. The original stump remains at the site, surrounded by a protective low fence to encourage potential natural regrowth. It will take up to three years before horticulturists can determine if the stump is capable of producing a new tree, at which point there may be an opportunity to replant one of the clones or seedlings in the Sycamore Gap's original location.