An ancient oak tree thought to be more than 400 years old has been cut down in what has been called a “depressing” and “devastating” incident in north London.
The remains of the trunk, surrounded by its severed branches, were discovered by council workers on 3 April in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield.
The tree was on the border of a car park for a Toby Carvery restaurant. On Tuesday, it was confirmed by the chain’s parent company, Mitchells & Butlers, that specialists advised them the tree was “a potential health and safety risk” and had been “cut back”.
“This was an important action to protect our employees and guests as well as the wider general public, to whom we have a duty of care,” it said.
“We took necessary measures to ensure any legal requirements were met.”
Sky News understands the Metropolitan Police found no evidence of criminality and has closed its investigation.
Investigators established the tree is not subject to any preservation orders.
Earlier, the local council said it held a different opinion about whether the correct permission had been sought.
Ergin Erbil, leader of Enfield Council, said: “We are treating the matter as criminal damage and have reported it to the police.
“We’ve now placed a legal protection (Tree Preservation Order) on the tree and are looking at ways to help it grow back.”
The tree, which had a girth of 6.1m, was thought to be in the top 100 of London‘s 600,000 oak trees in terms of its size.
Ed Pyne, Woodland Trust senior conservation adviser for trees, said: “This is the most shocking fell I think I’ve ever seen in more than a decade working with ancient trees.
“In my view, and the view of many others, this is ecologically much more significant than the Sycamore Gap – and certainly a more irreplaceable tree.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
On Monday, the Tree Council and Forest Research published a report calling for a “robust and effective system” to protect England’s most important trees following the Sycamore Gap tree felling in September 2023.
The trial of the two men, charged in connection with the felling, is due to take place later this month at Newcastle Crown Court.
Read more from Sky News:
Shoots grow from Sycamore Gap stump
King receives seedlings from felled tree
Vandals hunted after trees destroyed
Ed Allnut, Enfield resident and secretary of the Guardians of Whitewebbs group, said: “The tree belonged to Enfield and to our national heritage. I am personally devastated.
“We want answers, and we want guarantees the other trees here are being protected properly.”
Oak trees are valuable for UK wildlife, supporting thousands of species as well as capturing carbon from the atmosphere.
