Sycamore Gap tree to become 'living archive' in winning public vote project

Helix Arts and George King Architects' multimedia initiative, The People's Tree, has secured a commission from the National Trust to create a living archive using wood from the felled Sycamore Gap tree. This announcement was made on Saturday, revealing that the proposal was selected from six finalists through a combination of public voting and a judging panel. The project will incorporate participatory storytelling, sound recordings, and sculptures, such as seed pods for digital contributions, a soundscape that converts growth rings into audio, and a sound sculpture combined with a time capsule near Sycamore Gap. Public involvement will start this summer, with the project expected to be completed by autumn 2027. Additionally, the National Trust announced in September 2025 that 49 'trees of hope' saplings will be planted across the UK, and shoots have emerged from the stump for the third consecutive year.