Bannau Brycheiniog has been gifted a ‘Trees of Hope’ Sycamore Gap sapling, it has been announced.
National Trust Cymru has revealed the five locations in Wales who will receive the saplings.
Other recipients include Gower College Swansea, Better Life Appeal in Cardiff and the two other Welsh national parks - Eryri (Snowdonia) and Pembrokeshire Coast.
The conservation charity invited applications for one of the saplings grown from seed on the anniversary of the felling of the much-loved tree, which took place on September 27 2023 at Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. Nearly 500 applications from across the UK were received for 49 saplings – one sapling to represent each foot in height that the tree was at the time of the illegal felling.
All the new homes for the saplings are publicly accessible spaces, enabling many more people to feel part of the iconic tree’s legacy.
The saplings are currently being cared for by the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre, and they should be strong and sturdy enough ready to plant out in winter 2025/26.
The exact location of where the sapling will be planted in Bannau Brycheiniog is currently unknown.
Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian Wall said: “Each and every application for a ‘Tree of Hope’ told heartfelt stories of people’s emotional connections to the Sycamore Gap tree and the importance of nature. They spoke of loss, hope and regeneration from all four corners of the UK, from towns, schools, colleges, community groups, hospitals and hospices, it’s been a privilege to read them all.
National Trust Cymru announced the five locations in Wales on National Tree Week (November 23 - December 1).
For more information and to find out where in the UK all the 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ saplings will go, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/TreesOfHope