A sapling grown from a seed of the felled Sycamore Gap tree has been stolen.
Laurie Lee General Manager for the National Trust Lake District, Lakes and Eden properties in the area said we are “shocked and saddened” after discovering the young tree, which was planted just two months ago at Wray Castle in Cumbria, had been uprooted and taken away.
It was one of 15 saplings grown from the Sycamore Gap tree that have so far been planted at national parks across the UK as a “symbol of hope and resilience among our most protected landscapes”.
Cumbria Police said it is investigating the theft, believed to have taken place between 9 June and 16 June. The National Trust has appealed to the offender to return the sapling.
It comes almost three years since Adam Carruthers and Daniel Graham chopped down the Sycamore Gap tree, made famous after featuring in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Situated in a dip of Hadrian’s Wall, the tree received visitors from around the globe. Its destruction at the hands of the Carruthers and Graham, each jailed for four years and three months last year, brought anger and despair.
The planted sapling also marked the launch of a wellbeing initiative by the National Trust and St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston supporting people experiencing illness, dementia, and bereavement through nature.
Arboriculturist Christopher Neilan created the Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees (CAVAT) which was used to determine the value of the Sycamore Gap tree.
He said estimating the value of the sapling was difficult, because of its intangible sentimental value, likening it to a piece of “stolen art”.
“In one sense, it’s only paint on canvas – in another, perhaps it isn’t worth anything because you can’t sell it on the open market.
“But collectors might pay a huge amount for it.”
“We urge those involved to do the right thing, return the sapling, or come forward. The tree belongs to everyone.”
Jez Westgarth, the trust’s assistant director for Cumbria and Lancashire, said his team believed the sapling was taken from the remote site to be replanted elsewhere.
“It hasn’t just been pulled up recklessly – somebody’s thought about what they’re doing,” he said.
Westgarth said although the National Trust occasionally saw thefts and vandalism on its sites, it was the first time he had be made aware of a plant being taken in this way.
“Ultimately we don’t understand it but we would really like the sapling back,” he said.
Laurie Lee added: “This tree symbolised resilience and renewal, and its loss will be deeply felt. We are working with Cumbria Police and ask anyone with information to come forward. While this is a setback, it does not undermine the spirit the tree represents. Acts of care, restoration, and community support remain far stronger”.
Despite protective measures including staking and monitoring, the tree remained accessible due to its location within a public space. The trust said CCTV coverage in the area is limited.
Gavin Capstick, Chief Executive of the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “The planting of the sapling, dubbed a ‘tree of hope’ represented both a continued legacy of the iconic Northumberland tree and a renewed opportunity for people to connect with nature.
“We know from the reaction following the illegal felling of the Sycamore Gap just how deep our connection to nature is as a nation, and therefore how important protected landscapes like National Parks are. While we’re disheartened to learn of this incident, we are also keenly aware this behaviour does not represent the connection most of us have to nature and special landscapes like the Lake District.
The force is also appealing to anyone who visited the castle and its grounds to come forward with information which might help narrow down the timeframe.
A Cumbria Police spokesperson said: “Enquiries are currently ongoing and police are working with the National Trust as part of these enquiries.”
Reference
Sycamore Gap tree sapling stolen from National Trust castle. The Independent 30/6/26 by Alex Ross
Sycamore Gap sapling stolen from castle grounds, BBC News 30/6/26 by Duncan Hodgson
Tree grown from felled Sycamore Gap missing from Lake District Castle. The Mail 30/6/26 by Tom Cockburn
Tree Weaver 