An ancient oak in London, controversially cut down earlier this month, was recognized as a “fine specimen” by tree specialists working for Tottenham Hotspur during their evaluations for a redevelopment project adjacent to the area.

Mitchells & Butlers Retail (MBR), the parent company of the Toby Carvery located in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield, issued an apology on Thursday for the “distress” caused by the tree’s removal.

Concerns have been raised regarding the financial ties between MBR and Spurs, specifically regarding how informed the club was about the decision to cut down the oak.

Both Spurs and MBR are predominantly owned by the investment firm Enic. According to its latest annual report, MBR has entered into an agreement with Spurs for acquiring the lease on one of its retail properties, which is thought to be the Toby Carvery in Enfield.

In addition, Spurs have filed a planning proposal to establish a women’s football training academy on 17 hectares of land adjacent to Whitewebbs Park. There were also plans for an access road linking the training facility to the Toby Carvery, but this has now been modified to a footpath across the area where the felled oak, estimated to be up to 500 years old, stood.

As part of the planning process, Spurs engaged the Tree and Woodland Company to conduct an assessment of the impact on the mature trees in the park.

In a report delivered to Enfield council last July, the assessment deemed the now-removed oak to be a “fine specimen,” projected to live for another 50 years, and highlighted the necessity for conservation efforts as a top priority.

MBR stated that its contractors removed the tree on April 3 due to safety concerns, claiming it was dead and diseased. In a letter to residents of Enfield on Thursday, MBR’s chief executive, Phil Urban, expressed regret for the upset caused.

He stated, “We are compelled to respond to all health and safety concerns whenever expert advice indicates a direct risk to life or serious injury. We will conduct a comprehensive review and ensure that extraordinary situations are handled differently from routine health and safety matters in the future.”

Enfield council has threatened legal action against the company and has instituted a tree preservation order over the entire Toby Carvery premises.

The Woodland Trust, which opposed the plans for the training facility due to potential harm to ancient trees in the vicinity, believes there are still unanswered questions for Spurs and MBR.

Adam Cormack, the trust’s head of campaigning, remarked, “There is uncertainty regarding whether the ancient Whitewebbs oak that was cut down is part of Tottenham Hotspur FC’s development plans, and we seek clarification from the club on this matter.”

While Cormack appreciated Toby Carvery’s apology, he felt it was insufficient. He insisted, “Toby Carvery must fully disclose their documentation and cooperate with local authorities during the investigation. Were they aware of Spurs’ tree survey that called the oak a ‘fine specimen’ and recommended its preservation? Did they evaluate any alternatives to removal, and if so, what were they?”

Russell Miller, an expert on ancient trees who inspected the oak prior to its removal and has since examined the site, countered assertions that the tree posed a danger or was dying. He stated, “I contest the claim that the tree was dead and hazardous. I assessed its structural integrity and observed it in December. There was no justification for removing that tree other than a desire to clear the area for financial gain.”

Police concluded their investigation on Tuesday, determining it to be a civil matter.

MBR chose not to comment.

A Spurs representative asserted, “The tree and the decision to remove it are not linked to the club, as the tree is located outside our lease boundary for the proposed women’s and girls’ training center and academy.”

The club confirmed it holds an option to lease land from Toby Carvery within Whitewebbs Park but emphasized that this is merely an option. They also described it as “absurd” to suggest that the tree was cut down to facilitate land development.