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Sycamore Gap Sapling Stolen After Two Months
30 Jun
Summary
- A sapling from the felled Sycamore Gap tree was stolen from Wray Castle.
- The young tree was planted in April and stolen between June 9 and June 16.
- The sapling symbolized hope and resilience after the original tree's felling.
A sapling from the felled Sycamore Gap tree has been stolen from Wray Castle, Cumbria, only two months after its planting. The young tree, which was established in April 2026, disappeared between June 9 and June 16. National Trust officials expressed shock and sadness, emphasizing that the sapling represented resilience and renewal, grown from seeds of the much-loved tree felled illegally in 2023.
Cumbria Police are actively collaborating with the National Trust to investigate this theft. The stolen sapling was one of fifteen planted across UK National Parks as a symbol of hope. The original 120-year-old Sycamore Gap tree, famously situated on Hadrian's Wall, was illegally cut down in September 2023, leading to public outrage. The culprits, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, were convicted of criminal damage and sentenced last year.
Authorities are appealing to the public for any information regarding the theft. The National Trust stated that the act of vandalism does not diminish the spirit the tree represents and urged those responsible to return the sapling. The tree, they emphasized, belongs to everyone. This incident follows the destruction of the original tree, which had featured in the film 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'.
