Police called in to investigate ‘criminal’ felling of ancient oak tree amid uproar

Campaigners are calling for the police to investigate ‘criminal’ felling of ancient oak tree. On around 3 April 2025, the Whitewebbs Oak was felled by unidentified contractors in Whitewebbs Park. This was a beloved ancient tree. With a 6.1m circumference, it was one of only 60 similarly ancient English Oak (Quercus robur) trees in the whole of London.Campaigners say, it was irreplaceable habitat for hundreds of species, and was at least 300 years old. The loss is comparable to that of the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland, and the ecological impact is worse.