Toby Carvery owner admits cutting down ancient Enfield oak tree

The cutting down of an ancient oak in north London was ordered by the pub chain that owns Toby Carvery after it was informed the tree was dead, a source has told the BBC.

The felled oak, estimated to be about 500 years old, was found by council workers at the edge of Whitewebbs Park in Enfield earlier in April. An emergency tree preservation order has now been imposed on what remains of the tree, which is near a Toby Carvery.

The tree, with a girth of 6m (20ft), was a nationally significant pedunculate oak listed on the Woodland Trust’s national ancient tree inventory.

A source at pub chain Mitchells & Butlers said it initially hired a tree surgeon to deal with the oak’s overhanging branches.

Managers were then told the tree was dead and should be removed.

Earlier, Enfield Council’s leader, Ergin Erbil, said they were treating the matter as criminal damage and had reported it to the police.

The Mitchells & Butlers source said the company had “done the decent thing” although they apologised to locals who loved the tree.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said: “This is not Bill from maintenance who turned up with a ladder. We use trusted professional contractors.”

Benny Hawksbee, member of the Guardians of Whitewebbs group, said “the tree belonged to Enfield and to our national heritage – I am devastated”.

He added: “We have now placed a legal protection (Tree Preservation Order) on the tree and are looking at ways to help it grow back.”

The Met Police confirmed it had received a report from the council.

Jon Stokes, director of trees, science and research at the Tree Council, said the felling of such a “magnificent” tree was shocking.

He added: “Ancient oaks can live up to 1,000 years old and are as precious as our stately homes and castles. Our nation’s green heritage should be valued and protected and we will do everything we can to achieve this.”

Mitchells & Butlers is preparing a media statement, a spokesman said.

In a policy statement on its website, the company says: “We understand the importance of protecting those communities and the environment around them, which is why we take our responsibility in this area seriously.

“As part of our sustainability strategy, we have a plan to increase the positive effects we can have on society and the communities we work in and reduce the negative impact our business and operations have on the environment.”

The Woodland Trust’s head of campaigning Adam Cormack said: “This depressing sight is a reminder to all of us that not every ancient tree is in a safe place.

“It is very unusual to see the felling of an oak tree of this size and age. Legally protected status for heritage trees like the Whitewebbs Oak is long overdue.”

The trust’s Living Legends petition, which aims to secure such status for heritage trees, and which attracted more than 100,000 signatures, was handed in to Downing Street in November.

The issue of tree preservation was highlighted after the destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree in September 2023.

There was outrage when the tree, which stood in a dip next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, was chopped down.

Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both from Cumbria, have been charged with causing criminal damage put at more than £600,000.

They will appear before a jury at a trial starting on 28 April at Newcastle Crown Court.