Council leader Ergin Erbil has said the lost trees will be replaced “as soon as next week”

Ergin Erbil (centre) with fellow cabinet members at the tree planting event in Jubilee Park last year (credit Enfield Council)

An Enfield Council “park operative” has been blamed for destroying an area of newly-planted trees in a supposed “misunderstanding”.

After concerns were raised on a local Facebook group about damage being done to the ‘Tiny Forest’ area of Jubilee Park in Edmonton where more than 1,000 young trees were planted last year, the council issued an update via social media yesterday (Thursday 17^th).

Council leader Ergin Erbil explained that a member of parks staff was responsible – but promised to replace the damaged trees as soon as possible.

The number of trees damaged is understood to be around one-in-five of the total planted.

Cllr Erbil said: “We were disappointed to learn today that a section of our Tiny Forest of trees was damaged in Jubilee Park. We have investigated and unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding by a parks operative, the trees have been irreparably damaged.

“However, we have moved quickly to see how we can restore the Tiny Forest and thankfully, we have replacement trees to hand, which can be planted as early as next week.

“These trees in Jubilee Park, planted in February 2023, formed part of a project to plant Tiny Forests in three areas of Enfield, amounting to 16,000 trees. The Tiny Forests are part of a wider initiative by Enfield Council to plant one million trees to support biodiversity, boost community activities, and improve air quality and the borough’s flood defences.

“While I am extremely upset to have heard of today’s devastation, I am happy we can swiftly respond to restore this beautiful area of Jubilee Park.”

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