Sycamore Gap Sapling Finds New Home at Welsh Hospital as Beacon of Hope
A young tree cultivated from the beloved Sycamore Gap tree, which once stood majestically near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, has been planted at University Hospital Llandough (UHL) in the Vale of Glamorgan. This planting serves as a profound emblem of hope for individuals battling chronic conditions, alongside their families and the healthcare teams dedicated to their care.
A Rare and Meaningful Gift
Planted during a modest ceremony on Wednesday, February 18, this sapling is among only 49 grown from seeds harvested from the iconic 49-foot sycamore, which was illegally cut down in 2023. It was generously donated as part of the National Trust’s Trees of Hope program. The application submitted by Cardiff and Vale Health Charity’s Better Life Fund and the All-Wales Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, located at UHL, was selected from hundreds of entries to receive this special sapling.
Dr. Dawn Lau, a Consultant Chest and CF Physician who spearheaded the application, expressed her enthusiasm: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome and nurture the Sycamore Gap sapling. It represents a powerful symbol of hope emerging from adversity, despair, and loss.”
Supporting Cystic Fibrosis Care Across Wales
The Better Life Fund is instrumental in backing the All-Wales Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre. Established to finance the center’s foundation and ongoing growth, it also aids in patient care and addresses the needs of those with Cystic Fibrosis throughout Wales. The center delivers specialized medical attention to 350 adults from across Wales and neighboring counties who live with this inherited disorder, which impacts the lungs, digestive system, and other internal organs.
Patients benefit from a comprehensive multi-disciplinary team that includes specialist nurses, ward staff, physiotherapists, consultants, dietitians, social workers, and psychologists. While advancements in treatment, medication, and early detection have greatly enhanced life expectancy for CF patients, managing the condition remains intricate, exhausting, and time-intensive, presenting significant physical and psychological hurdles.
Dr. Lau elaborated: “For those living with Cystic Fibrosis and other chronic, life-limiting genetic conditions, as well as their caregivers, this ‘Tree of Hope’ stands as a visible testament to strength and perseverance, honoring the legacy of those who have passed.”
Ceremony Attended by Healthcare Community
The planting event was graced by clinicians, former colleagues, relatives of patients, and members of the Health Board. Suzanne Rankin, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, remarked: “This sapling originates from a tree that held deep significance for countless individuals. Its loss evoked widespread sorrow. By planting this new tree, we create a tangible sign of hope, continuity, and renewal in a setting that can often feel tense or unpredictable.”
She added: “As it takes root and flourishes, we hope it will evolve into a living reminder of hope’s power, community’s importance, and the lasting influence of support and compassion in people’s lives.”
Honoring Memories and Providing Solace
Dr. Ian Ketchell, AWACFC Centre Director, shared: “The original Sycamore Gap tree will forever remain in our memories, much like those we have lost to Cystic Fibrosis, who are eternally part of our identity. Their bravery and narratives imbue this day with profound meaning.”
The sapling, which can thrive for up to 400 years, has been situated in Our Health Meadow, the hospital’s seven-acre green space that offers a peaceful outdoor retreat for patients, visitors, and Health Board staff. Dr. Lau noted: “It will be a practical benefit for those lucky enough to appreciate its beauty and shade within the hospital grounds.”
National Trust’s Trees of Hope Initiative
When the National Trust revealed the recipients of the 49 Trees of Hope saplings in November 2024, Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian’s Wall properties, stated: “Every application for a ‘Tree of Hope’ conveyed heartfelt stories of emotional ties to the Sycamore Gap tree and nature’s significance. They spoke of loss, hope, and regeneration from across the nation—from towns, schools, colleges, community groups, hospitals, and hospices. Reading them has been a privilege. The tree meant so much to so many, and through this initiative, we aim to touch people nationwide for generations to come.”
Welsh Plantings and Broader Impact
This sapling is the sole Trees of Hope planting in the Vale of Glamorgan and one of three in Wales, with others located at Gower College Swansea and Cardiff’s Rhiwbina Primary School. Additionally, three more saplings will be planted in each of the Welsh National Parks, extending the symbol of hope across the region.
