Special Sycamore Gap tree sapling is planted in Bath’s Alice Park

A sapling grown from the seed of the famous Sycamore Gap tree has been planted in Alice Park in Bath, giving the city a living link to the Hadrian’s Wall landmark that was illegally felled in 2023.

Young people are pictured with Cllr Liz Hardman (right) and Cllr Joanna Wright (centre) | Photo © B&NES Council

The young tree is part of the National Trust’s “Trees of Hope” project, which has produced 49 saplings from the original Sycamore Gap tree and gifted them to communities around the UK.

The Alice Park Trust, which manages Alice Park on behalf of Bath & North East Somerset Council, successfully applied to receive one of the saplings.

Named the “Tree of Life”, it has been dedicated to children and young people who are living in care or are care-experienced.

A planting event was held on Saturday 21st February, attended by representatives from the Alice Park Trust, Bath Urban Trees, the Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council and care-experienced children and young people.

A care-experienced resident and Off The Record also shared what the tree symbolises for them.

Councillor Joanna Wright, Chair of the Alice Park Trust, who made the application to the National Trust, said: “I am delighted that the sapling has been planted in Alice Park for all the young people who are looked after in B&NES.

“The park is a place for them to connect to and creates a vision for hope and regeneration, highlighting their role in a future that fosters commitment to their wellbeing and that of the environment.

“Thank you to everyone who supported us to secure this rare sapling which means so much.”

Councillor Liz Hardman, Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “The ‘Tree of Life’ is a powerful symbol of hope and new beginnings for our children and young people.

“I encourage residents to visit Alice Park, learn what the sapling represents and join us in supporting care-experienced young people to thrive.”

Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian Wall properties, added: “It’s incredible to think that the first “offspring” of this very famous tree are now being planted – it feels like just yesterday that those tentative first shoots appeared.

“Over the next couple of years, the saplings will really start to take shape, and because sycamores are so hardy, we’re confident they’ll be able to withstand a range of conditions.”

Alice Park was given to the young people of Bath in 1937 for children to play in and remains a well-used destination park.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is the sole trustee of the park, which is managed by the Alice Park Trust Sub-Committee under delegation of the Charitable Trust Board.