The owner of the pub chain falsely claimed the tree was dead as justification for the felling which has shocked local people and prompted outrage from conservationists across the country, reports James Cracknell

The Whitewebbs oak tree before, during and after the felling

Toby Carvery has admitted felling an ancient oak tree at Whitewebbs Park that has caused widespread uproar – while falsely claiming it was dead.

The destruction of the 450-year-old tree earlier this month has been condemned by residents, councillors and the Woodland Trust and has even prompted Enfield Council to submit a police report, since the tree sits on land leased to Toby Carvery by the civic centre but was felled without its permission.

When the Dispatch approached Toby Carvery owner Mitchells and Butlers yesterday (Monday 14^th), a spokesperson acknowledged the pub company had ordered the tree to be chopped down because, they argued, it was a “serious health and safety risk” as it stood close to the car park.

However, the spokesperson then went on to claim the tree was “dead before it was felled”. When the Dispatch visited the remains of the tree this morning (Tuesday 15^th) this claim was easily verified as false – green shoots could be seen sprouting from several parts of the stumps and felled trunk pieces.

The Dispatch has not heard anything further from Toby Carvery today since informing the company that its earlier statement was incorrect.

Even if the tree had been dead, or diseased, the council’s permission to fell the tree was still necessary – even without a tree protection order (TPO) previously being in place.

TPOs are usually used by the council to protect trees on private land, rather than on land that it owns, although since the felling took place it has since moved to issue an emergency TPO.

The Toby Carvery at Whitewebbs House lies adjacent to the area of Whitewebbs Park set to be fenced off by Tottenham Hotspur for its controversial women’s football academy, which won approval from Enfield Council’s planning committee in February.

A proposed new access road through Whitewebbs Wood, which originally formed part of the Spurs plans, was rejected by councillors at the February committee because of the fear of harm being caused to the woodland and fish pond – with alternative plans for any new roads yet to be revealed.

The football club declined to comment for this story. There is no evidence to suggest it was involved with the felling.

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

“Whitewebbs House is [near] where the Gunpowder Plot was planned. Latest estimates put the tree at about 450 years old so the tree would have been alive when Guy Fawkes and others came and went in the months leading up to 5th November 1605.

“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. This issue has widespread public support and is an open goal for the government to act upon.”

Woodland Trust says that, with a girth of 6.1 metres, the Whitewebbs oak was in the top 100 of London’s 600,000 oak trees for size.

Toby Carvery at Whitewebbs House (credit James Cracknell/ Enfield Dispatch)

Local residents and councillors have also slammed the felling. Whitewebbs councillors David Skelton, Hannah Dyson and Reece Fox issued a joint statement, saying: “This is a deeply concerning development. The tree that was felled is of real historic significance and its loss is enormously distressing.

“We need to understand why such a precious oak was left unprotected and how this criminal damage will be pursued and the perpetrators brought to justice.

“Crucially, the council also needs to make clear how it will ensure that this is never allowed to happen again.

“This is another reminder of how precious the ancient woodland in Whitewebbs is and why it should be protected from unnecessary development.”

Guardians of Whitewebbs campaigner Benny Hawksbee said: “The tree belonged to Enfield and to our national heritage. I am devastated. We want answers, and we want guarantees the other trees here are being protected properly.”

He added: “The first time a friend brought me to Whitewebbs, we parked at the Toby Carvery and as soon as I saw the Whitewebbs oak, behind the car park, I knew the place was unique and very special for London. I take my four-year-old son, Dylan, to the tree and to Whitewebbs Park every week. I didn’t realise its felling would have such an impact on me.”

The Toby Carvery spokesperson said: “The tree was cut back after we were advised that it caused a serious health and safety risk, and so this was an essential action to protect our employees and guests to which we have a duty of care.

“We took every necessary measure to ensure all legal requirements were met […] We are grateful to our expert contractors for warning us of this hazard so swiftly, allowing us to act before anyone was harmed.”

A green shoot appearing from a section of tree trunk on the Whitewebbs oak — Green shoot on part of felled Whitewebbs oak (credit James Cracknell/Dispatch)

Jon Stokes, director of trees, science and research at The Tree Council, said the felling of such a “magnificent” tree was shocking. “Ancient oaks can live up to 1,000 years old and are as precious as our stately homes and castles,” he explained. “Our nation’s green heritage should be valued and protected and we will do everything we can to achieve this.

“Oak trees are extremely valuable for wildlife and support more than 2,300 species. They are also valuable carbon stores and an irreplaceable part of our landscapes and our lives.”

Council leader Ergin Erbil said: “Enfield Council cares deeply about protecting trees and green spaces in the borough.

“We were recently made aware of the felling of an ancient oak tree in Whitewebbs Wood, which occurred on 3rd April. The council was not informed of this incident until last week. Our teams immediately carried out a full site inspection to assess the damage after receiving reports of the damage done to the tree.

“We are treating the matter as criminal damage and have reported it to the police. We have now placed a legal protection [TPO] on the tree and are looking at ways to help it grow back.

“We will work closely with the police as they continue their investigation into this matter.”

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.