The National Trust has removed a sapling planted near Hadrian’s Wall by Kieran Chapman, a man devastated at the news that the famed Sycamore Gap tree had been deliberately felled. The Trust cited the site’s Unesco World Heritage status as the reason for removing the replacement, even though several other saplings are already growing in the area. Chapman chose a new sycamore from a local garden centre and planted it on Friday afternoon. Despite being contacted by the National Trust, who acknowledged his efforts, he returned to find the sapling had been removed. Chapman later expressed his sadness at the decision, suggesting “you try and do a good thing. I am devastated – I didn’t think I’d be as emotional over a tree, but I am”.
Brian Blessed, the former president of the Council for National Parks, has urged park officials to plant another tree near the fallen landmark, arguing it would increase the chance of the existing stump growing into a new tree. The National Trust maintains that, despite being grateful for offers of support, it is “important for everyone to remember” that the site is an ancient monument and that alterations can damage the archaeology and therefore are “unlawful without prior consent from the government”. The Trust is working with Chapman to find a suitable spot to plant the sapling
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