The relentless destruction of trees and nature across the country, including in London, goes unnoticed much of the time. However, some trees are so precious that their destruction acts as a lightning rod, galvanizing public anger and showing the clear need for increased protection for trees and for nature more generally.
The hacking back of the Sycamore Gap Tree was one such incident and it looks like the felling of the Whitewebbs Oak may be another. This huge oak — over six metres in diameter — was severely cut back in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield two weeks ago. There's little doubt that it was one of London’s most precious trees; it was 300 to 500 years old, one of the oldest trees in the area and probably one of the top 100 largest oaks in the whole of London.
