Felling of 500-year-old oak tree investigated 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.

Source: BBC | Language: English