On Wednesday 4 March, Easy Come, Easy Grow will plant a Sycamore Gap sapling at Scotland Hall Road Park in Newton Heath.
The Sycamore Gap tree was an iconic landmark at Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland in the Northeast of England for nearly 200 years. When it was illegally felled in September 2023, the public reaction showed how loved, celebrated and special the tree had been and how much it symbolised for the many people who felt connected to it – a living representation of nature and resilience across the centuries.
The National Trust gathered seeds from the Sycamore Gap tree and grew saplings to continue the tree’s legacy of resilience and hope throughout the country. 49 ‘Tree of Hope’ saplings, representing the 49-foot height of the parent tree, have been planted in public places with emotional connections for people and communities.
A new round of Sycamore Gap saplings is now being planted to celebrate community connections, named ‘Rooted in Partnership’.
One of the saplings is coming to Newton Heath, celebrating the work of Easy Come, Easy Grow Mcr CIC and their partnership with the National Trust.
Easy Come, Easy Grow is a group of residents within Newton Heath who are improving nature and community through gardening, environmental education and social activities.
The National Trust’s urban team in Manchester, along with social enterprise Sow the City, Manchester City Council and others, have been supporting the group as they’ve rapidly gone from strength to strength.
The group was born from the Nature Neighbourhoods project, a partnership between the RSPB, WWF and National Trust bringing local people together to create action plans for nature in their area. In Newton Heath, classed as one of the most deprived wards in Manchester and the UK by Indices of Multiple Deprivation data, residents founded Easy Come, Easy Grow to address local issues including access to nature, sustainability and spaces for community and young people.
They created an action plan including mass tree planting, food growing, opportunities to volunteer and learn green skills, and activities for young people.
The Sycamore Gap tree recognises the group’s achievements in bringing local people together to improve and feel connected to nature close to where people live.
It will be planted on Wednesday 4 March 1pm-2:30pm at Scotland Hall Road Park in a public celebration event with Easy Come, Easy Grow and the National Trust. Easy Come, Easy Grow says the tree reflects the spirit of Newton Heath: resilience, strength and rooted in hope. Everyone is invited to come along and be part of history by planting this very special tree together.
Kelly Robinson, director at Easy Come, Easy Grow, says “For ECEG, planting this Sycamore tree represents everything we’re trying to achieve in Newton Heath: bringing people together, improving our green spaces, and creating something that will grow and thrive for years to come.
We’re incredibly proud of our community. Together with fellow residents, we’ve grown food, run regular activities for young people, and created safe, welcoming spaces for people to gather and connect.
What we’re really celebrating is what can happen when local people take the lead. We’ve shown that when a community comes together with a shared vision, real change happens.
This tree will become a living landmark in Newton Heath — a reminder of the community spirit and action taking place here. We may be labelled ‘deprived,’ but honestly, we have one of the strongest communities in Manchester — one that truly shines when given the opportunity.”
Everyone is welcome to join Easy Come, Easy Grow and contribute to planting trees, taking part in gardening sessions, volunteering at events, or simply enjoying the safe spaces they create – there’s something for everyone.
Natalie Daring, Senior Programme Manager for the National Trust’s Greater Manchester Urban Team, says “Greater Manchester is facing a climate, nature and health crisis, and as our city grows, access to green space is more important than ever. We’re working with communities and partners to create a greener, more liveable city. This sapling symbolises our shared commitment to breaking down barriers to nature and helping everyone thrive.”
