There are moments when a tree is more than just a tree. This is one of them.
Milton Keynes has officially planted its very own Tree of Hope, grown from the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, marking the city’s place in a nationwide initiative celebrating resilience, renewal and our shared love of the natural world.
On Friday 23 January, the young sapling was planted during a small but meaningful ceremony in Stanton Low Park. Community representatives and dignitaries gathered for the occasion, including the Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Countess Elizabeth Howe, to mark the moment together.
And the location? Thoughtfully chosen. Stanton Low Park isn’t just peaceful and green (though it’s very much that too). It’s a place steeped in heritage, rich with wildlife and quietly connected to the land — exactly the kind of setting where a Tree of Hope feels at home.
The original Sycamore Gap tree meant different things to different people. A landmark. A meeting place. A memory-maker. The Tree of Hope initiative ensures that legacy continues, with each sapling acting as a living reminder of resilience, renewal and why protecting nature really matters.
The Parks Trust, the charity caring for Milton Keynes’ much-loved parks, is one of just 49 organisations across the UK chosen to receive a sapling grown from the historic tree. Over time, this one will grow into more than branches and leaves — it’s hoped it will become a place for quiet reflection, community gatherings and moments worth pausing for.
Victoria Miles, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to have been chosen to be part of this national initiative! Having a Tree of Hope in our city echoes our charity’s purpose, to provide amazing green spaces for our communities to love forever. It symbolises renewal, connection and our shared responsibility to care for nature. I hope that people will find the Tree of Hope to be a meaningful place for our communities for many generations to come.”
There was just one small (and very British) hiccup. Thanks to extremely wet ground on the day, the sapling was temporarily taken to The Parks Trust’s nursery for some extra care over the weekend. To give it the best possible start, it will be replanted very nearby in Stanton Low Park, where ground conditions are more suitable.
If Stanton Low Park isn’t on your regular walking route yet, this might be your sign. It’s a place to slow down, breathe deeply and now — to stand beside a tree that carries a national story into MK’s future.
Discover Stanton Low Park at theparkstrust.com/stantonlowpark
