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| Enfield oak tree felled by Toby Carvery 'had 50-year life expectancy' | Enfield oak tree felled by Toby Carvery 'had 50-year life expectancy' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The tree was discovered to have been chopped down on 3 April | The tree was discovered to have been chopped down on 3 April |
| An ancient oak felled in a north London park by Toby Carvery's owners was classified last year as a "fine specimen" with a life expectancy of at least 50 years, planning documents show. | An ancient oak felled in a north London park by Toby Carvery's owners was classified last year as a "fine specimen" with a life expectancy of at least 50 years, planning documents show. |
| Pub chain Mitchells & Butlers said on Tuesday it was responsible for chopping down the 500-year-old tree "to protect our employees and guests as well as the wider general public". | |
| An Enfield Council planning document from March 2024 found the pedunculate oak, on the edge of Whitewebbs Park, had high ecological and landscape value. | An Enfield Council planning document from March 2024 found the pedunculate oak, on the edge of Whitewebbs Park, had high ecological and landscape value. |
| The council said it had reported the felling as criminal damage to the Met Police, which is understood to have closed its inquiry, deeming it a civil matter. | The council said it had reported the felling as criminal damage to the Met Police, which is understood to have closed its inquiry, deeming it a civil matter. |
| A local took a picture of a cherry-picker operating at the tree | A local took a picture of a cherry-picker operating at the tree |
| The report, based on a November 2023 inspection, also stated the tree was in "moderate good" condition and recommended a "light reduction of the upper crown on [the] north side". | The report, based on a November 2023 inspection, also stated the tree was in "moderate good" condition and recommended a "light reduction of the upper crown on [the] north side". |
| Initially, a source for Mitchells and Butlers (M&B) said on Tuesday that it approved the cutting down of the oak after being told the tree was dead. | Initially, a source for Mitchells and Butlers (M&B) said on Tuesday that it approved the cutting down of the oak after being told the tree was dead. |
| In an official statement hours later, M&B stated it had received advice from contractors, who said "the split and dead wood posed a serious health and safety risk". | In an official statement hours later, M&B stated it had received advice from contractors, who said "the split and dead wood posed a serious health and safety risk". |
| It subsequently removed this statement in a further update, but maintained the company "took necessary measures to ensure any legal requirements were met". | It subsequently removed this statement in a further update, but maintained the company "took necessary measures to ensure any legal requirements were met". |
| The BBC has asked M&B for information about the contractor that cut down the tree. The company has not done so and has also declined the BBC's request for an interview. | The BBC has asked M&B for information about the contractor that cut down the tree. The company has not done so and has also declined the BBC's request for an interview. |
| 'Tree worth £1m' | 'Tree worth £1m' |
| Dr Ed Pyne, senior conservation advisor for trees at the Woodland Trust, said of the felling of the oak: "I couldn't quite believe it, to be honest. | |
| "I've been working for trees in various capacities now as an arborist, as an academic for close to 14 years and in all that time I don't think I've seen a tree felling as shocking as this." | "I've been working for trees in various capacities now as an arborist, as an academic for close to 14 years and in all that time I don't think I've seen a tree felling as shocking as this." |
| Ergin Erbil, leader of Enfield Council, branded it "an outrage" and said the council was "looking at all legal options at the moment". | |
| The tree, with a girth of 6m (20ft), was a nationally significant pedunculate oak listed on the Woodland Trust's ancient tree inventory. | |
| It comes just two days after a report from the charity Tree Council and researchers Forest Research that warns trees are only indirectly protected, with some "significant legal gaps". | It comes just two days after a report from the charity Tree Council and researchers Forest Research that warns trees are only indirectly protected, with some "significant legal gaps". |
| It recommends the development of a "robust and effective system" to ensure they are safeguarded. | It recommends the development of a "robust and effective system" to ensure they are safeguarded. |
| Russell Miller is an ancient tree expert | Russell Miller is an ancient tree expert |
| The Enfield oak was worth £1m, according to tree valuer Russell Miller, who made his estimate using the Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees system. | The Enfield oak was worth £1m, according to tree valuer Russell Miller, who made his estimate using the Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees system. |
| Mr Miller said it was "much older and much more valuable" than the Sycamore Gap tree cut down in Northumberland in 2023. | Mr Miller said it was "much older and much more valuable" than the Sycamore Gap tree cut down in Northumberland in 2023. |
| He added: "This tree is designated... as an irreplaceable habitat because it's got decay features and habitats within it that you cannot replace within hundreds of years. | He added: "This tree is designated... as an irreplaceable habitat because it's got decay features and habitats within it that you cannot replace within hundreds of years. |
| "In addition to the sorts of species that people are familiar with, like bats and owls that live in these trees, you've got thousands of species of invertebrate. | "In addition to the sorts of species that people are familiar with, like bats and owls that live in these trees, you've got thousands of species of invertebrate. |
| "You've got lots of different niches for lots of different species inside the tree, and that's why they're so special." | "You've got lots of different niches for lots of different species inside the tree, and that's why they're so special." |
| A spokesperson for M&B said: "The tree was cut back after we were advised that it caused a serious health and safety risk. | A spokesperson for M&B 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. | "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." | "We are grateful to our expert contractors for warning us of this hazard so swiftly, allowing us to act before anyone was harmed." |
| Additional reporting by James Kelly and Gem O'Reilly | Additional reporting by James Kelly and Gem O'Reilly |
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