Toby Carvery has settled a legal dispute over the unauthorised chainsawing of an ancient oak tree by agreeing to fund the restoration of a lost orchard in Enfield, north London. The 500-year-old oak, located next to a Toby Carvery car park in Whitewebbs Park, was partially felled in April 2025, sparking widespread public outrage and parliamentary questions.
Legal Action and Settlement
Enfield council, which owns the land, initiated eviction proceedings against the restaurant chain, describing the act as reckless and damaging to the tree's lifespan. However, on Wednesday, Mitchells & Butler Retail (M&B), the parent company of Toby Carvery, announced a settlement. The agreement includes funding for the replanting of an orchard in the Ridgeway corridor, covering the council's legal costs, and paying for treatment of the oak's remains. Experts hold little hope for the tree's survival due to the damage caused by M&B's contractors.
Apology and Safety Claims
In a joint statement, M&B sincerely apologised for the upset caused. The company maintained that the felling was necessary for safety reasons, as the oak was dying—a claim disputed by tree experts. The statement noted that Enfield council recognised M&B acted on the advice of reputable professionals to mitigate health and safety risks.
Orchard Restoration and Tree Planting
The undisclosed financial settlement will restore an orchard in Enfield's Ridgeway corridor as part of the Enfield Chase landscape restoration scheme. This will create a publicly accessible community orchard, enhance landscape character and biodiversity, and provide locally grown fruit. Additionally, 1,000 trees will be planted near the orchard. The parties consider the matter closed.
Background and Controversy
Last year, the Guardian revealed that Ground Control, a Billericay-based maintenance firm, carried out the work. Enfield council referred the case to the Metropolitan police, but the force declined to investigate, citing it as a civil matter. M&B is majority-owned by Enic, which has strong financial links to Tottenham Hotspur football club. The club has denied any connection between the felling and its plans to build a women's football training academy on adjacent land. A judicial review against Enfield's planning permission for the training complex is scheduled for later this month.
Russell Miller, an ancient tree expert and member of the Guardian of Whitewebbs campaign group, expressed disappointment that Enfield council settled based on an implausible story about tree risk, given the irregularities involved.
