A centuries-old oak tree, valued at £1m, was felled in a north London park despite being deemed healthy by experts. The tree’s removal has sparked outrage and raised concerns about conservation and biodiversity.
An ancient pedunculate oak, estimated to be around 500 years old, was felled in Whitewebbs Park, a north London park, by Toby Carvery’s owners. The tree, valued at £1m, had been deemed healthy and could have lived for another few hundred years, according to experts.
The tree, which was listed on the Woodland Trust’s ancient tree inventory, was cut down on April 3 by a contractor hired by Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the pub chain that owns Toby Carvery. The company claimed it had approved the cutting of the tree due to concerns about health and safety risks posed by the split and dead wood. However, an Enfield Council planning document from March 2024 stated that the tree was in ‘moderate good’ condition and recommended a light reduction of the upper crown on the north side.
The Woodland Trust is a leading UK-based charity dedicated to protecting and preserving woodland habitats.
With over 1,000 sites covering more than 25% of the UK's landmass, they work tirelessly to restore ancient woodlands, plant new trees, and promote sustainable forestry practices.
The organization has successfully protected over 200,000 acres of woodland since its inception in 1972.
Their conservation efforts focus on preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and promoting ecosystem services.
Dr Ed Pyne, senior conservation advisor for trees at the Woodland Trust, described the felling as ‘shocking‘. He added that he had never seen a tree felled under such circumstances. The tree’s value was estimated to be around £1m using the Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees system.
The Enfield oak was considered an irreplaceable habitat due to its decay features and habitats within it, which cannot be replaced within hundreds of years. Russell Miller, an ancient tree expert, stated that the tree had thousands of species of invertebrates living within it. The loss of this tree raises concerns about the lack of protection for trees, with some ‘significant legal gaps‘ identified by researchers Forest Research and the charity Tree Council.
The Enfield oak felling has sparked outrage among local residents, with Ergin Erbil, leader of Enfield Council, describing it as an ‘outrage‘. The council is looking into all legal options. The Metropolitan Police has closed its inquiry into the felling, deeming it a civil matter.
