Rhiwbeina Primary School has planted a sapling grown from the celebrated Sycamore Gap Tree, which stood at Hadrian’s Wall for over 120 years until it was illegally felled in September 2023.
The North Cardiff school is the first recipient in Wales to plant their sapling as part of the National Trust’s Trees of Hope initiative, having been successfully chosen from nearly 500 applications as one of 49 recipients across the UK – one to represent each foot in height that the tree was at the time of felling.
During a special event which took place at the school today, the sapling was planted by former Year 6 pupils (now in Year 7) who were involved in submitting the application for the sapling last year. They returned to Rhiwbeina Primary School to narrate how they formulated the successful entry which described how pupils have a real passion for learning about nature, and love being outdoors at every opportunity – and how the story of the Sycamore Gap tree has been used as an inspiration for learning about the importance trees play in our world, as a symbol of hope in the face of man’s foolishness.
A panel of experts from the National Trust led by independent judge and arboriculture specialist Catherine Nuttgens, favoured the application which also illustrated how the Sycamore Gap tree stood on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire in Britain, and how the sapling will remind the community of the history shared, as a western outpost of that Empire.
School pupil Carys, age 11 said: “We worked really hard on our application because we want to give the Sycamore Gap sapling a home where it can grow safely. To us, it isn’t just a tree- it’s a sign that hope can grow back, even after something is lost. It’s exciting to think that one day it might stand as tall and proud as the original tree and when future generations see it we’ll be able to say we helped plant its roots here in Rhiwbina.”
Oliver age 11 added, “We were shocked when we heard the news that the Sycamore Gap Tree had been cut down and couldn’t believe it when we won the competition to receive a sapling. We are really excited to be part of the celebrations today”.
The event was attended by pupils and staff from the school, Cardiff’s Deputy Leader Cllr Sarah Merry and Lizzie Smith Jones, National Trust Cymru’s General Manager for South-East Wales. Prior to the planting, pupils performed songs, dance and poetry around the theme of trees, particularly the Sycamore Gap Tree.
Headteacher Carol Harry said…..
“I am so proud of my pupils and Year 6 teachers who saw the opportunity to be Guardians of the Planet. As a school we are thrilled to bring the legacy of the Sycamore Gap Tree to Wales and our community of Rhiwbina”.
Cardiff’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry added…..
“Pupils, staff and families of Rhiwbeina Primary School should feel immensely proud of the important part they have played in the iconic Sycamore Gap tree’s legacy, enabling its story to be kept alive.
I was honoured to attend the planting and see first hand the importance the new tree will have on the local community. Becoming guardians of an important piece of Britain’s natural history carries a message of hope and is something that will be enjoyed for generations to come.”
The 49 saplings, now between 4 and 6 feet tall, were grown from seed and material rescued from the felled tree and have been carefully nurtured at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre.
Lizzie Smith Jones from National Trust Cymru told us…..
“It’s a privilege to attend the first planting of a ‘Tree of Hope’ in Wales. To be able to keep the story of the Sycamore Gap alive in all four corners of the UK and in so many different settings is a fitting tribute, and we hope that, just like the original tree, this young sapling will touch many people’s lives.”
