The news that an irreplaceable, 500-year-old oak was unnecessarily felled in Whitewebbs Wood, Enfield has, rightfully, shocked and appalled many this week. On this occasion it was not an insurance claim, but the case has many of the hallmarks of the same problems we face with Insurers.

Hasty decisions made without due checks or appropriate expertise.

A statement from Toby Carvery who are owned by Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) justified what they did as “essential action to protect our employees and guests to which we have a duty of care”. Adding, “We are grateful to our specialist arboriculture contractors for warning us of this potential health and safety risk, allowing us to act swiftly to address it”. In other words they did it quickly, thinking of their own business interests only.

Business prevails over nature

It is so often the case that businesses adopt the policy of ‘Act first. Face the consequences later.’ They wil probably escape any serious fine and it is easy to believe that the decision to fell this tree was essentially a ruthless financial one. No arborist report has been shared, those that did the felling had no logo or identification on their vehicle. Indeed, Russell Miller, an expert on ancient trees who visited the oak before it was felled and has inspected it since, said: “I refute the claim that the tree was dying and dangerous. … There was no logic to touching that tree other than wanting an ancient tree out of the way because of some financial interest.” The manager has apologised not for the loss of the tree but for the public upset. (which was no doubt more than he expected!

What can be done?

No one can restore a tree that has been felled. However in this case it can only be hoped that the public outcry will lead to an urgent review of the situation and hopefully a strengthening of  support for better legal protection of our heritage trees. It is not right that ancient and veteran trees in the UK have less protection than heritage buildings. Greater protection for our trees is long overdue.

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