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Mitchells & Butlers, owners of the Toby Carvery, has settled a civil claim with Enfield over the felling of the Whitewebbs Oak, but have not paid the £1m CAVAT value of the tree. 

Acknowledging responsibility and saying the matter is now “closed”, the pub chain will pay an undisclosed sum towards the restoration of an orchard in the borough. The Council, in accepting the settlement, has said that “[Mitchells and Butlers] acted on the recommendation of reputable, professional advisers in taking the steps that it did” - i.e. in destroying an ancient oak that posed no threat. The settlement does not name Ground Control, the company that cut the tree.

We do not view the matter as settled. 
We have consistently sought a criminal investigation for the crime that was reported to police by Enfield Council, i.e. criminal damage to public property. We continue to call for such an investigation to get to the truth of what really happened.

Three highly qualified professionals saw the tree shortly before it was felled. Not one had any safety concerns and all regarded it as a highly valuable veteran. It was registered as such on the Ancient Tree Inventory. It is not conceivable that a competent arborist would have recommended the brutal works carried out. The Forestry Commission report after the incident also agreed the Oak had posed no threat. Ground Control, who carried out the work, have refused to comment on their actions or explain their reasons. 

The story of how a priceless ancient oak came to be felled remains obscure and incomplete. The justice that tens of thousands of us have asked for remains undone.

As a result, we will deliver our petition to the Deputy Mayor for Crime and Policing, calling again for an investigation and asking why it is that, when a corporation does what would land any private individual in jail, it enjoys indemnity. 

We thank you for supporting our fight for justice and truth. Although we view this outcome as a miscarriage of justice, it is thanks to the pressure you have helped sustain that the story of the Whitewebbs Oak remains alive. We couldn't do this without you, and hope you will continue to support us.

The tree itself continues to put out small shoots but unfortunately those from last year died so the future of the tree remains very uncertain.

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With thanks,
The Guardians of Whitewebbs