Latest news with #WhitewebbsOak
New Statesman
23-06-2025
- Politics
- New Statesman
Trees underpin environmental leadership
Image: The Woodland Trust Woods and trees are woven into our identities and sense of place as individuals and communities across the four nations of the UK. The outcry over the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree and, more recently, the Whitewebbs Oak amply demonstrate this and have seen perhaps the greatest public demonstration of this relationship with trees since the protests against the sell-off of the Public Forest Estate under the coalition government. At the time of writing, all those with an interest in the environment keenly awaited the publication of the Westminster government's Environmental Improvement Plan, and at the end of the year we will also see the Cop30 summit in the Amazon, where there will be a strong focus on forests both globally and domestically. For the UK government to speak with authority on the world stage about such matters needs a strong domestic story. This was the central theme of a very-well-attended Westminster reception hosted by the Woodland Trust earlier this year, bringing together parliamentarians, business leaders and members of the Woodland Trust Youth Council. The actions required to effectively protect, restore and expand our domestic woodland cover must be underpinned by a robust evidence base. It is against this backdrop that the Woodland Trust has recently published the State of the UK's Woods and Trees report, funded with the support of players of the People's Postcode Lottery. The previous version, published in 2021, generated a good deal of interest and debate and we anticipate the same for the 2025 version. It was the focus of a recent meeting of the all-party parliamentary group for woods and trees, and we expect it will continue to generate debate over the coming months. State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2025 sets out how woods and trees need our help to build ecological resilience to thrive for wildlife and people. What are its key findings? The climate is changing with devastating consequences, and healthy woodlands are a key part of UK plans to tackle climate change. Woods and trees help us to adapt and reduce the impact of a changing climate by providing a wide range of social benefits and environmental services. Indeed, UK forests store one billion tonnes of carbon, and each year, remove approximately 18.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is almost 5 per cent of the UK's annual carbon emissions. Despite tree cover rising to 13.5 per cent, woodland biodiversity continues to decline. The woodland bird index was 37 per cent lower in 2022 than in 1970 and has decreased by 15 per cent in the last five years. This is largely due to our woodlands not being in good enough ecological condition. Trees and woods also improve our health and wellbeing. However, these benefits are not equally distributed. Following on from our groundbreaking Tree Equity mapping, new research also indicates that lower-income areas not only have less tree cover, but existing woods in these areas contain fewer biodiversity traits and are not as effective at boosting local people's wellbeing. The report contains neighbourhood averages for each local authority area. The UK neighbourhood average for urban canopy cover is 19.3 per cent, but this masks significant differences. For example, there are neighbourhoods in Hartlepool with canopy cover of 2 per cent, compared with Hampstead where some neighbourhoods are over 40 per cent. The essential benefits of urban trees are not equitably distributed among populations Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe in the UK. This report sought to find out why we continue to ignore the deep interdependencies between trees, wildlife, climate and people and why we cannot afford to keep doing so. We found that the UK continues to miss woodland creation targets. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) published the seventh carbon budgetearlier this year calling for woodland creation to be nearly doubled by 2030. Yet just 45 per cent of targets have been met in the UK in the last four years, which means we've missed out on an additional 8.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050. We also found that woodlands face an escalating and interacting suite of threats, yet the scale and urgency of action is lacking. For instance, the UK currently hosts 121 introduced pests of native trees. An estimated £919.9m is spent each year in the UK on managing only six pests. The impact of climate change is exacerbating these effects. What can we do to turn things around? The latest Bunce survey published in 2024, led by the Woodland Trust and UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), gives an unparalleled 50-year insight into changes in Britain's woodlands. This revealed a decline in ecological complexity and biodiversity due to a lack of management, therefore making them less resilient. We desperately need sensitive management of UK woodlands to improve their ecological condition and unlock their ability to adapt to climate change. Ecological restoration of woodland habitats through sensitive management not only supports nature recovery but also supports a well-functioning carbon cycle that provides a stable, long-term store of carbon. Only with increased levels of sensitive management can woods and trees continue to provide benefits for people and wildlife. We drastically need to improve the condition of our woodland – if we are to tackle biodiversity loss, mitigate climate change and secure the public health benefits of trees. Governments across the UK need to invest in the management of our woodlands, so that trees of all ages can thrive, along with the wildlife that call them home. It is also vital that the government starts hitting its tree-planting targets, so that there is time to grow the veteran trees of the future. People care deeply about the natural world around them and know how much we all benefit from healthy woods and trees. We must prioritise protecting, restoring and planting new woodlands, for the health of our communities and our planet. Related
The Guardian
15-04-2025
- The Guardian
Felling of ancient London oak tree reported to police
The sudden felling of one of the oldest and largest oak trees in London has been reported to police, as campaigners renewed calls for better protection for such nationally significant trees. The oak in Whitewebbs park in Enfield was up to 500 years old, with a trunk that was more than six metres in circumference. It was listed on the Woodland Trust inventory of ancient trees, but was not the subject of a tree preservation order. The tree was felled earlier this month by contractors working for Mitchell and Butlers Retail (MBR) who run a nearby Toby Carvery and lease the land where the tree stood from Enfield council. The council said it had not been informed of the decision to cut down the tree and urged the Metropolitan police to investigate. The council leader, Ergin Erbil, said: 'We are treating the matter as criminal damage and have reported it to the police.' The council has now placed a tree preservation order on the remaining trunk in the hope that it may grow back. A source close to MBR said the tree was discovered to be diseased and was felled for safety reasons. They said: 'We were advised by experts that it was dangerous and posed a risk to people. These were professional contractors and this was supposed to be routine maintenance. 'Upon inspection they found that it was mostly dead and diseased and in their professional opinion it posed a risk to the public and needed to come down. We would be in so much trouble if we ignored that advice.' Campaigners have express dismay at the incident. Writing on X, Paul Powlesand, co-founder of the Lawyers for Nature, said: 'This shows the desperate need for better protections for our veteran and ancient trees. A building the same age as this tree would almost certainly be listed (council owned or not), and we should have an equivalent system for trees, with equivalent enforcement and punishment.' Adam Cormack, head of campaigning at the Woodland Trust said: 'This depressing crime is a reminder to all of us that not every ancient tree is in a safe place. 'It is very unusual to see the felling of an oak tree of this size and age. Legally protected status for trees like the Whitewebbs Oak is long overdue. 'This issue has widespread public support and is an open goal for the government to act upon.' The trust is campaigning for legislation that would make a list of nationally important heritage trees the subject of preservation orders. Later this month the trial two men accused of felling the sycamore gap tree is due to take place at Newcastle crown court. Experts say ancient oaks have more ecological value that sycamores because they support hundreds more species. A blogpost by the tree company Thores Trees said: 'Ancient trees like this one are living ecosystems in themselves. This oak was a lapsed pollard, a sign of historical land management, left to mature over centuries into a vast and unique habitat. Its sheer size and age meant it was home to hundreds of species, many of which rely solely on old trees like this to survive.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Outrage over ancient Enfield oak tree 'illegally cut down' as police investigate
An ancient oak compared to "Sycamore Gap" has been cut down in Enfield. The incident is being investigated as criminal damage and has been reported to the police by the council. The felling of the tree, which took place in Whitewebbs Wood on Thursday, April 3, has left the local community outraged. A "beloved" part of the local flora, the ancient oak is said to have had a circumference of six-point-one metres and to be one of only 60 similarly-sized ancient English Oak trees in London. A petition started by Guardians of Whitewebbs alleges that the tree was cut down by "unidentified contractors". The group has compared the loss to the felling of the Sycamore Gap, in Northumberland, which saw an ancient oak along Hadrian's Wall cut down in September 2023. READ MORE: Met Police officer said rape victim 'just got raw dogged in a park by two blokes and regrets it' READ MORE: 'I may be forced to leave London for Scotland to get life-saving cancer drug on the NHS' Guardians of Whitewebbs have said they want the incident to be fully investigated and for the rest of the trees in the park to be protected. It has urged the council to also look into the wider context of the development of the park. The group said: "We are asking for justice and the implementation of measures to prevent similar losses. With this letter, we are demanding that the council fully investigate this tragic incident. We are also urgently requesting the protection of the rest of the park's trees, which includes other ancient and veteran trees. "We call upon the council to agree to commission an independent investigation into what happened to lead to this incident. This is an appropriate reaction to the loss of a nationally important tree. "As the oak was on council parkland, the private contractors would have needed permission for the works from the council officer. They do not appear to have obtained this. The value of the oak was extremely high and the work has left little chance of regrowth. We welcome the referral of this case by the council to the Metropolitan Police. It may be a case of criminal damage amounting to a value exceeding £5,000 - a serious crime whose maximum sentence is 10 years in prison. The tree's value could be more than £620,000. "We call upon the council to agree to commission an independent investigation into what happened to lead to this incident. This is an appropriate reaction to the loss of a nationally important tree. "While it is too late for the Whitewebbs Oak, other trees nearby can be protected from future interference and felling. We are calling on the Council to perform an expedited survey of all trees in Whitewebbs Park and Wood with the object of making individual and group Tree Preservation Orders for all suitable candidates." Enfield Council has said that it was not informed about the felling of the Whitewebbs Oak which occurred on April 3. It has also confirmed that it will be treating the incident as one of criminal damage, which has been reported to the police. A legal protection order has now also been placed on the tree and it is looking for ways to help it grown back. Leader of Enfield Council, Cllr Ergin Erbil, said: "Enfield Council cares deeply about protecting trees and green spaces in the borough. "We were recently made aware of the felling of an ancient oak tree in Whitewebbs Wood, which occurred on 3 April. The Council was not informed of this incident until last week. Our teams immediately carried out a full site inspection to assess the damage after receiving reports of the damage done to the tree. "We are treating the matter as criminal damage and have reported it to the police. We have now placed a legal protection (Tree Preservation Order) on the tree and are looking at ways to help it grow back. "We will work closely with the police as they continue their investigation into this matter." Got a story? Please get in touch at Stay in the loop with the latest North London news. Sign up to our MyNorthLondon newsletter HERE for daily updates and more.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Felling of ancient oak tree probed by police
The cutting down of an ancient oak tree in north London is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police. The remains of the oak, estimated to be up to 500 years old, were discovered by council workers last week in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield. An emergency tree preservation order has now been imposed on the base of its stump. The tree, with a girth of 6.1m (20ft), was a nationally significant pedunculate oak and listed on the Woodland Trust's national ancient tree inventory. Enfield resident and member of the Guardians of Whitewebbs group, Benny Hawksbee, said "the tree belonged to Enfield and to our national heritage - I am devastated". The leader of Enfield Council, Ergin Erbil, said they were treating the matter as criminal damage and had reported it to the police. He added: "We have now placed a legal protection (Tree Preservation Order) on the tree and are looking at ways to help it grow back. "We will work closely with the police as they continue their investigation into this matter." Jon Stokes, director of trees, science and research at the Tree Council, said the felling of such a "magnificent" tree was shocking. He added: "Ancient oaks can live up to 1,000 years old and are as precious as our stately homes and castles. "Our nation's green heritage should be valued and protected and we will do everything we can to achieve this." The Woodland Trust's head of campaigning Adam Cormack said the tree's loss was "devastating". He said: "We don't know yet who did this or why and would urge anyone with information to come forward and report it to the police. "This depressing sight is a reminder to all of us that not every ancient tree is in a safe place. "It is very unusual to see the felling of an oak tree of this size and age. Legally protected status for heritage trees like the Whitewebbs Oak is long overdue." The trust's Living Legends petition, which aims to secure such status for heritage trees, and which attracted more than 100,000 signatures, was handed in to Downing Street in November. The issue of tree preservation was highlighted after the destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree in September 2023. There was outrage when the tree, which stood in a dip next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was chopped down. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both from Cumbria, have been charged with causing criminal damage put at more than £600,000. They will appear before a jury at a trial starting on 28 April at Newcastle Crown Court. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Sycamore Gap tree: The story so far Date set for Sycamore Gap tree felling trial New woodland planted in honour of Sycamore Gap
BBC News
15-04-2025
- BBC News
Felling of ancient oak tree in Enfield sparks Metropolitan Police probe
The cutting down of an ancient oak tree in north London is being investigated by the Metropolitan remains of the oak, estimated to be up to 500 years old, were discovered by council workers last week in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield. An emergency tree preservation order has now been imposed on the base of its tree, with a girth of 6.1m (20ft), was a nationally significant pedunculate oak and listed on the Woodland Trust's national ancient tree resident and member of the Guardians of Whitewebbs group, Benny Hawksbee, said "the tree belonged to Enfield and to our national heritage - I am devastated". The leader of Enfield Council, Ergin Erbil, said they were treating the matter as criminal damage and had reported it to the added: "We have now placed a legal protection (Tree Preservation Order) on the tree and are looking at ways to help it grow back."We will work closely with the police as they continue their investigation into this matter."Jon Stokes, director of trees, science and research at the Tree Council, said the felling of such a "magnificent" tree was added: "Ancient oaks can live up to 1,000 years old and are as precious as our stately homes and castles."Our nation's green heritage should be valued and protected and we will do everything we can to achieve this." The Woodland Trust's head of campaigning Adam Cormack said the tree's loss was "devastating".He said: "We don't know yet who did this or why and would urge anyone with information to come forward and report it to the police."This depressing sight is a reminder to all of us that not every ancient tree is in a safe place."It is very unusual to see the felling of an oak tree of this size and age. Legally protected status for heritage trees like the Whitewebbs Oak is long overdue."The trust's Living Legends petition, which aims to secure such status for heritage trees, and which attracted more than 100,000 signatures, was handed in to Downing Street in November. Trial due to start The issue of tree preservation was highlighted after the destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree in September was outrage when the tree, which stood in a dip next to Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, was chopped Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, both from Cumbria, have been charged with causing criminal damage put at more than £600, will appear before a jury at a trial starting on 28 April at Newcastle Crown Court.
