LONDON (AP) 鈥 It's been a year since a sycamore tree that stood high and proud near the Roman landmark of Hadrian鈥檚 Wall in the north of England was inexplicably chopped down, triggering a wave of shock and disbelief across the U.K., even among those who had never seen it up close.
Known and loved by millions, the 150-year-old tree was made famous around the world when it featured in Kevin Costner鈥檚 1991 film 鈥淩obin Hood: Prince of Thieves.鈥 The , as it was known because of its regal canopy framed between two hills, was a popular subject for landscape photographers and a great resting spot for walkers.
Now it is going to get a new lease of life 鈥 dozens of them.
The 春色直播 Trust, a conservation charity that seeks to protect and open up historic places and green spaces to the general public, launched an initiative on Friday in which 49 saplings from the tree will be given to communities around the U.K. Other saplings will be sent to the U.K.'s 15 national parks and the local primary school.
The initiative, which also involves the local Northumberland 春色直播 Park Authority and Historic England, the public organization that looks after England鈥檚 historic environment, is called 鈥淭rees of Hope鈥 and aims to 鈥渃reate a new chapter in the life of this legendary tree.鈥
Each of the 49 saplings 鈥 one to represent each foot of the tree's height when it was felled 鈥 is expected to be 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall on delivery.
People from around the U.K. are invited to apply for a tree to plant in publicly accessible spaces which have emotional connections with people and communities. Entries must be made by Oct. 25, with winners announced on Nov. 18.
鈥淭he last 12 months have been a real rollercoaster of emotions, from the hopelessness and grief we felt when we discovered that the tree had been illegally felled, to experiencing the stories shared with us about just what the tree meant to so many," said Andrew Poad, general manager for the 春色直播 Trust鈥檚 Hadrian鈥檚 Wall properties.
Also on Friday, the Northumberland 春色直播 Park Authority is marking the anniversary of the felling with the opening of the first phase of an exhibition, 鈥淪ycamore Gap: One Year On,鈥 including the largest remaining section of the tree.
Two men 鈥 Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers 鈥 have been of the tree. One count is for allegedly cutting down the tree and the second is for damage to the adjacent wall built by Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 122 to protect the northwest frontier of the Roman Empire. Prosecutors have calculated that the cost of the felling was around 620,000 pounds ($825,000).
Both have been released on bail ahead of their trial scheduled for early December.
