Ancient oak tree cut down by Toby Carvery

The cutting down of an ancient oak in north London was ordered on health and safety grounds by the pub chain that owns Toby Carvery after it was told the tree was dead.

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 ancient tree inventory.

A spokesperson for Mitchells & Butlers said: "We took necessary measures to ensure any legal requirements were met."

The pub chain spokesperson added: "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."

Earlier, a Mitchells & Butlers source said the company had "done the decent thing" although they apologised to locals who loved the tree.

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

The Met Police confirmed it had received a report from the council, but it is understood the force believes there is no evidence of criminality.

The spokesperson for Mitchells & Butlers said: "The tree was cut back after we were advised that it caused a serious health and safety risk.

"Upon further inspection, our specialist arboriculture contractors made the assessment that the split and dead wood posed a serious health and safety risk and advised that the tree was unsafe and should be removed.

"We are grateful to our expert contractors for warning us of this hazard so swiftly, allowing us to act before anyone was harmed."

Benny Hawksbee, a member of the Guardians of Whitewebbs group, said "the tree belonged to Enfield and to our national heritage - I am devastated.

"We have now placed a legal protection [Tree Preservation Order] on the tree and are looking at ways to help it grow back."

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 said.

"Our nation's green heritage should be valued and protected and we will do everything we can to achieve this."

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, are accused of causing criminal damage put at more than £600,000.

The men, who deny the charge, will appear before a jury at a trial starting on 28 April at Newcastle Crown Court.

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