Latest news with #Thor'sTrees
The Independent
15-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Why a felled oak tree could be London's Sycamore Gap
Enfield Council has reported the 'criminal' felling of an ancient oak tree in London 's Whitewebbs Wood to the police, prompting an investigation. The felled oak tree, estimated to be up to 500 years old, is considered to have significant ecological value due to its age, surpassing that of the Sycamore Gap tree which was estimated to be about 200 years old. Lawrence-Thor Stephen, CEO of Thor's Trees, described the April 3 felling as 'a loss for the nation', as ancient trees support thousands of species. The tree, a pedunculate oak (quercus robur) with a girth of 6.1m, is officially verified on the Woodland Trust 's Ancient Tree Inventory. Council leader Ergin Erbil said that the council is treating the felling as criminal damage and a tree preservation order has been put in place to prevent any further damage. 'Loss for the nation': Is this ancient, felled oak tree London's Sycamore Gap?
The Independent
15-04-2025
- The Independent
‘Loss for the nation': Is this ancient, felled oak tree London's Sycamore Gap?
Police are investigating the felling of a centuries-old oak tree that has 'more ecological value than the Sycamore Gap' amid outrage from local residents and conservationists. Reports were made to Enfield council in London earlier this month regarding the 'criminal' felling of an ancient oak tree in Whitewebbs Wood, an ancient woodland in the north of the capital. Lawrence-Thor Stephen, CEO of London-based tree care company Thor's Trees, said the felling was a 'loss for Enfield' and 'a loss for the nation'. The tree is estimated to be up to 500 years old, and Mr Stephen said that, due to its age, it is more ecologically valuable than the 200-year-old Sycamore Gap tree near Hadrian's Wall, which was felled in 2023. 'I can't believe this has happened,' he said. 'This is a loss of a National Treasure.' A statement from Ergin Erbil, leader of Enfield council, said the felling has been reported to the police and a tree preservation order was put in place to protect it from further damage. The tree is a Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), with a girth of 6.1 metres and it is officially verified on the Woodland Trust 's Ancient Tree Inventory. Mr Stephen told The Independent that thousands of species of birds, bats and insects rely on the tree to survive. He added that the tree will take centuries to replace. "When an ancient tree falls, it's nature that's wounded and a community,' he said. 'But from this, we have the chance to build something better: stronger protections, greater awareness, and a renewed commitment to the trees that quietly support all life around us. 'Let's make sure this story is not just one of loss but a turning point for action.' The three councillors for the Whitewebbs Ward said in a joint statement that the tree's felling is 'enormously distressing and the perpetrators must be 'brought to justice'. 'Crucially, the council also needs to make clear how it will ensure that this is never allowed to happen again', they added. Mr Ebril said in a statemen that while the felling occurred on April 3, the council wasn't made aware until last week, carrying out an immediate inspection of the site. 'We are treating the matter as criminal damage and have reported it to the police,' he said. 'We will work closely with the police as they continue their investigation into this matter.' The Metropolitan Police confirmed it had received a report from Enfield Council.
