A Sycamore Seed - forged hot from the fire to celebrate the wonderful tree that we knew as Sycamore gap.

(Dimensions 13.5ins x 3ins)

28th September 2023 brought the shocking news that someone had intentionally cut down the famous, iconic Sycamore tree on Hadrian's Wall. Naturally this brought a range of emotions, including anger, grief and deep sadness, that echoed around the world.

To help turn sadness into hope, we have been given a wonderful opportunity to auction a very special piece of artwork that can help new trees to be grown - by the community, enabling new life, hope and a new legacy for our future generations.

The money raised for this beautifully and lovingly crafted Sycamore seed, will enable new trees to be grown through the community project - SEEDS2TREES

SEEDS2TREES is an initiative of Living Woods North East Community Interest Company, and mobilises and supports the community to grow new trees, from seed, for two years, in their own gardens and yards, school and community grounds. After two years, we, Living Woods, will receive the young trees back for planting which will help to create new woodlands that our future generations will need.

Launched in 2022, SEEDS2TREES, we now support over 300 members of the public. of all ages, living in rural and urban locations, growing new British Native trees from seed, that we have supplied. Each batch of seeds has the potential to grow 100 new trees - Oak, Hazel Common Alder and Silver Birch . The saplings from our first round of the project in 2022 will be collected this November.

We are planning a third round of community tree growing starting this November and hope to see another 200 batches of seeds, and growing kits given out. We will provide support through out the two years.

In addition, we will provide educational resources to our community growers who are involving children and young people in this tree growing task. Over the two years we will be exploring with them why nature is important for us, and why we are important for nature, and why trees are so important.

Not only will you be helping new trees to be grown from seed, but helping to grow understanding that could help to influence change of attitudes and behaviours.

We see that this is particularly poignant when we consider the reason why we have this special Sycamore seed for auction



The crafted Sycamore Seed

This forged sycamore seed is a limited edition - number 7 of 50, which was made by a Father and Daughter team Stephen and Ashlee, of The Forge Gallery in Red Row, Northumberland. It has been forged hot from the fire to celebrate the wonder tree that we knew as Sycamore gap. A sycamore tree is on the seed.

Stephen Lunn and Ashlee (now Donaldson) are at the forefront of the revival of blacksmithing and its evolution into art form.

Much of their work can be seen in Alnwick Gardens. Their work includes the "peace sculpture" in Amble, and on the benches in Alnwick Market Square. This one of 50 pieces however, is not just an example of their art, but a symbol of their passion for trees and woodlands.

Steven has himself nurtured and created a woodland over many years, taking pride and joy in every tree that he has planted and seen matured.

Every one of the 50 Sycamore Seeds that has been personally crafted in celebration of the Sycamore Gap tree comes from a fervent passion for trees, and grief due to this terrible act. Each piece comes with a message to the Sycamore tree - to "fly and spread your seeds".

While you may still be able to purchase one of the limited edition from The Forge Gallery for £160 – when you pay for this one – you will be literally helping new seeds to be spread for new trees. It would be pretty amazing to see at least this amount raised. Higher the bid – the more new trees that have a chance to grow.

By auctioning this piece, it will enable just that - seeds of trees and seeds of understanding and respect.