A historic oak that was cut down in a park in north London by the owners of Toby Carvery was designated last year as a “fine specimen” with an anticipated life span of at least 50 years, according to planning documents.

Mitchells & Butlers, the pub chain, announced on Tuesday that it took responsibility for the removal of the 500-year-old tree “to ensure the safety of our staff, guests, and the wider public.”

A planning document from Enfield Council dated March 2024 identified the pedunculate oak, situated at the boundary of Whitewebbs Park, as having substantial ecological and aesthetic significance.

The council noted that it had reported the tree’s removal as an act of criminal damage to the Metropolitan Police, which has since closed its investigation, determining it to be a civil matter.

The report, which stemmed from an inspection conducted in November 2023, indicated that the tree was in “moderate good” condition and recommended a “gentle reduction of the upper crown on the northern side.”

Initially, a spokesperson for Mitchells & Butlers indicated that the decision to fell the oak was made after being informed that the tree was dead.

A few hours later, the company issued an official statement clarifying that it had acted on advice from contractors, who warned that “the split and dead wood represented a significant health and safety concern.”

This statement was later retracted in another update, yet the company maintained it had taken appropriate steps to comply with any legal obligations.

The BBC has requested information from M&B regarding the contractor responsible for the tree removal, but the company has not provided any details nor agreed to an interview.

Dr. Ed Pyne, senior conservation advisor for trees at the Woodland Trust, expressed disbelief at the oak’s felling: “Honestly, I was taken aback. Having worked with trees for nearly 14 years in various roles, I can’t recall a more shocking instance of tree removal.”

Ergin Erbil, the leader of Enfield Council, condemned the act as “an outrage” and stated that the council was exploring all legal avenues in response.

The tree, which had a girth of 6 meters (20 feet), was recognized as a nationally significant pedunculate oak listed in the Woodland Trust’s ancient tree inventory.

This incident follows closely on a report from the Tree Council and researchers at Forest Research, highlighting that trees are only partially protected, with several “significant legal gaps.” The report advocates for a “strong and effective system” to ensure their protection.

A tree valuation expert, Russell Miller, estimated the Enfield oak’s worth at £1 million, applying the Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees system in his assessment. He remarked that it was “far older and much more precious” than the Sycamore Gap tree, which was cut down in Northumberland in 2023.

Mr. Miller emphasized: “This tree is classified as… an irreplaceable habitat, possessing decay features and providing homes for species that cannot be replicated for centuries. In addition to well-known species like bats and owls, this tree hosts thousands of invertebrate species and various niches, which contribute to its unique importance.”

A representative for M&B stated: “The tree was removed based on the advice indicating it posed a serious health and safety risk. Following further evaluation, our specialist arboriculture contractors concluded that the split and dead wood presented a serious hazard, deeming the tree unsafe and recommending its removal.

“We appreciate our expert contractors for promptly alerting us to this danger, enabling us to take action before anyone was harmed.”