The 500-year-old oak tree was removed after safety concerns, but locals and conservationists are furious about the loss of this national heritage tree.
A 500-year-old oak tree in Enfield, north London, has been cut down by the pub chain Toby Carvery after safety concerns were raised. The oak, located near Whitewebbs Park, was removed after being deemed dead and unsafe.
The ancient tree, a pedunculate oak with a girth of 6 metres (20 feet), was listed on the Woodland Trust’s ancient tree inventory, underscoring its national significance. Despite its protected status, the decision to fell the tree was made after expert arborists concluded that its dead and splitting wood posed a serious health and safety risk.
Mitchells & Butlers, the company that owns Toby Carvery, explained that the tree was removed to protect both the public and its staff. A spokesperson stated, “This was an essential measure to ensure the safety of our employees, guests, and the wider public, as we have a duty of care.”
However, this action has sparked outrage in the local community and among environmentalists. Benny Hawksbee from the Guardians of Whitewebbs group expressed devastation, stating, “The tree was part of Enfield’s heritage. It belonged to us all.” In response, the council has now imposed a Tree Preservation Order on the remaining stump and is exploring options to help the tree regenerate.
Enfield Council’s leader, Ergin Erbil, condemned the felling as an act of criminal damage, but the Metropolitan Police has yet to find any evidence of criminal activity. While police investigations continue, many feel the larger issue is the lack of protection for ancient trees like this one.
Jon Stokes, the Tree Council’s director of trees, science, and research, described the felling of the oak as a loss to national heritage. “Ancient oaks can live for up to 1,000 years, and their loss is akin to losing a piece of our history,” he remarked.
Environmental organisations have also voiced their concerns, highlighting that such trees are not sufficiently protected. Adam Cormack from the Woodland Trust stated that the destruction of the Whitewebbs Oak was a reminder that not all ancient trees are safe, advocating for stronger legal protection for heritage trees.
The loss of the Whitewebbs Oak comes on the heels of public outcry over the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland in 2023, a case that raised similar concerns about the protection of ancient trees. With over 100,000 people signing a petition to secure legal protection for heritage trees, the debate around conservation and the preservation of these living monuments is intensifying.
