The chief executive of Toby Carvery has issued a grovelling apology after the company felled a 500-year-old oak tree at one of its north London pubs.
Phil Urban, from Mitchells & Butlers which owns the pub chain, admitted “we need to tighten our protocols” in a letter to local residents.
The ancient tree, known locally as the ‘Guy Fawkes Oak’, was reduced to a stump in the pub’s car park on April 3.
Enfield Council, which owns the land, reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police and is treating it as criminal damage.
The ancient tree, known locally as the ‘Guy Fawkes Oak’, was reduced to a stump in the pub’s car park on April 3
PA
The council leader branded the felling “an outrage” and said all legal options were being considered.
In his apology letter, seen by the BBC, Urban wrote: “Clearly the felling of a beautiful old tree is a very emotive subject and is not something any of us would undertake lightly.”
“I can only apologise for all the upset that it has caused,” he added.
The Toby Carvery boss insisted the company had acted in good faith after being advised the tree posed a health and safety risk.
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The tree before and after fellingWOODLAND TRUST“One of our team acted in good faith in response to expert advice and authorised the work to be done,” Mr Urban explained.
He acknowledged that “we need to tighten our protocols” to ensure better consultation in future while still protecting guests and staff.
Enfield Council claimed its own team of experts had checked the tree in December and found it was “healthy and posed no risk to the neighbouring car park and its users”.
Council workers discovered the remains of the trunk surrounded by severed branches on April 3.
The Toby Carvery boss insisted the company had acted in good faith after being advised the tree posed a health and safety risk
PA
The oak stump is now subject to an emergency tree preservation order.
Experts consider it more ecologically significant than the Sycamore Gap tree that was felled in Northumberland in 2023.
Oak trees can live up to 1,000 years and support more native wildlife than any other tree, making them crucial for biodiversity.
There had been reports the owners of Toby Carvery could receive a £1million fine for chopping down the tree.
