Woodland Trust statement on Whitewebbs Oak felling
Head of campaigning
We are shocked and devastated by the felling of the ancient Whitewebbs Oak tree by contractors working for Mitchells and Butlers, the pub and restaurant chain that own Toby Carvery.
The Whitewebbs Oak was a tree of significant ecological, cultural and historic value, was more than 450 years old and was home to a huge range of scarce and important wildlife habitats.
We want to see justice for the felling of this ancient and nationally significant oak tree. That includes an investigation into whether felling license laws were breached and whether standard practices were followed.
We are also urging everyone to sign our Living Legends petition, calling on the government to introduce long-overdue heritage status for our oldest and most valuable trees.
A new report, published this week by The Tree Council and Forest Research, makes recommendations to government about improvements to the protection of important trees in England, and sets out some wider actions for government.
Human-made structures such as monuments and listed buildings have long had such protections, but our national, natural heritage has been ignored, and that is why national treasures like the Whitewebbs Oak are still so vulnerable to catastrophes like this.
There are some questions that remain unanswered about the felling of the Whitewebbs Oak. We have now uncovered a tree survey, published in July 2024, commissioned by Tottenham Hotspur for a
planning application for a new training facility at Whitewebbs Park. The felled ancient tree was included in this survey, which calls the oak a “fine specimen” and makes recommendations for its care and protection.
What evidence were Mitchells and Butlers given, less than a year later, that led them to make the decision that the tree was such a health and safety risk that it required immediate felling, without any further consultation or consideration? And was the CEO of Mitchells and Butlers aware of the survey commissioned by Tottenham Hotspur?
If there were concerns about an ancient oak like this, we would expect a tree survey to be completed by an expert in managing ancient and veteran trees. Did one take place, and, if so, were alternatives to felling – such as fencing an area under the tree instead – considered?
If Mitchells and Butlers felt it was an urgent health and safety concern, why did they not notify the council, who also own the land and Whitewebbs Oak? There appear to be other trees, closer to the car park that directly overhang it. Were these assessed?
Businesses have a legal requirement in most cases to check with the Forestry Commission before felling more than five cubic metres of timber (Forestry Act 1967). We have not yet seen any evidence that this took place.
We urge Mitchells and Butlers to promptly reveal the paperwork that led to this decision.
Notes to editors
About the Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK with more than 500,000 supporters.
With a vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, today the Trust owns and cares for more than 1,000 woodland sites, covering around 33,000 hectares.
The Woodland Trust has three key aims:
- protecting the UK's rare, unique and irreplaceable ancient woodland
- restoring damaged ancient woodland, nurturing precious pieces of our natural heritage back to life
- establishing new native trees and woods to create healthy, resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.
Access to all Woodland Trust woods is free so everyone can experience the physical and mental benefits of trees.