While I get you, they did also do that with a fair number of cuttings from the tree. Apparently the National Trust has decided that this is good publicity.

On 8 March 2024, BBC News reported that the first seedlings had sprouted from genetic material recovered at the site.[42] The first seedling was presented to King Charles III who announced that it would be planted in Windsor Great Park once it had matured into a sapling.[43] Further seeds from the site are being grown into saplings by the National Trust that will be distributed to the school nearest the site and the UK’s National Parks as well as a number of good causes.[44] In August 2024, it was found that new shoots had appeared at the base of the stump.[2]

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/…/trees-of-hope

Trees of Hope

We received almost 500 applications for the 49 saplings – one to represent each foot in height that the tree was at the time of felling – from all over the UK.

The saplings are currently being cared for by our Plant Conservation Centre, and they should be strong and sturdy enough to plant out in winter 2025/26.

The new homes for the saplings will all be in publicly accessible spaces, enabling many more people to feel part of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree’s legacy with recipients from around the UK including The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds, Holly’s Hope in conjunction with Hexham Abbey in Northumberland, and The Tree Sanctuary and Tree Amigos in Coventry.

Holly’s Hope*

Next winter, one of the saplings will be planted not far from Hadrian’s Wall in Hexham, in conjunction with Hexham Abbey, for Holly Newton.

Holly was just 15 years old when she was tragically killed by her ex- boyfriend because he couldn’t accept the end of their relationship in January 2023.

The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, Leeds

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is building The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) at Seacroft Hospital, which will be a landmark care centre when it opens next year and by winter, its Sycamore Gap sapling will find its new home.

The Tree Sanctuary and The Tree Amigos, Coventry

In Coventry a ‘Tree of Hope’ will go to The Tree Sanctuary and their young group of ‘Tree Amigos’ who have gained recognition and awards for replanting trees damaged by vandalism in local public spaces.

The Tree Sanctuary is home for unwanted trees as well as nurturing saplings grown from the seeds of ancient trees that have been lost to urban development. The trees are then planted in a new communal woodland known as Liberty Wood, which was entrusted to the Sanctuary by Coventry City Council.

On the whole, being cut down seems to have been, at least in terms of propagation, not a particularly catastrophic event for the tree.