Ancient 'Guy Fawkes Oak' Was Alive When Felled by Toby Carvery, Investigation Reveals
A Forestry Commission investigation has concluded that a centuries-old oak tree, controversially chopped down outside a Toby Carvery restaurant in north London, was still alive at the time of its felling. This finding directly contradicts claims made by the pub chain's owners, Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), who asserted that experts had advised them the ancient Whitewebbs Oak was dying and posed a public risk.
Public Outrage and Legal Repercussions
The oak tree, believed to be between 450 and 500 years old and nicknamed the 'Guy Fawkes Oak' due to its proximity to a conspirator haunt during the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, was cut down on 3 April last year without permission from the council landlord, Enfield Council. The unauthorized felling prompted widespread public anger and has left the Toby Carvery restaurant facing eviction from its site at Whitewebbs House in Enfield.
Enfield Council, which owns the land, reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police. While police found no evidence of criminality, the council has issued a Section 146 notice to M&B for serious breaches of their lease and initiated forfeiture proceedings in Edmonton County Court. A trial is expected later this year or early in 2027.
Investigation Contradicts 'Dying Tree' Claims
The Forestry Commission's inspection, conducted in late 2025, identified green shoots in the cut wood remaining on the site, leading to the conclusion that the tree remained alive. Dr Ed Pyne, a senior conservation adviser at the Woodland Trust, told The Independent that confirmation of the tree's vitality was inevitable, noting he visited the site afterward and observed healthy buds and a full crown prior to felling.
Dr Pyne criticized the felling, stating, "It's tragic that under 'lopping and topping' exceptions an irreplaceable tree was mutilated, because lopping and topping is outdated and no longer considered an appropriate management technique for trees." He emphasized that the tree, considered among the top 100 of London's 600,000 oaks in size and with more ecological value than the Sycamore Gap, had around 80 more years to live and provided irreplaceable habitat developed over centuries.
Council Demands Apology and Reparations
Cllr Tim Leaver, deputy leader of Enfield Council, condemned the act as reckless, causing huge damage and cutting the tree's expected lifespan. He stated, "This centuries-old tree was an irreplaceable part of Enfield's natural heritage and was felled without the council's knowledge or consent, in clear breach of the lease governing the site." The council has demanded that M&B issue a public apology, provide financial reparations for the irreversible damage, and compensate for significant costs incurred.
Two weeks after the felling, Toby Carvery chief executive Phil Urban apologized for the upset caused, claiming the company acted in good faith. However, a Toby Carvery spokesperson has since declined to comment due to ongoing legal proceedings. The Forestry Commission noted that while it understands public concern, its assessment found no breaches of relevant legislation as the tree was not protected by a preservation order.
