What the Toby Carvery oak tells us about the future of our forests
Earlier this month, Toby Carvery pub owners chopped down a much-loved 400-year-old oak tree. The public outcry was immediate – and fierce. We saw a similar wave of grief and anger after the senseless destruction of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland.
These were not just trees. They were cherished landmarks and for many, living symbols of continuity in a fast-changing world.
The Woodland Trust photographed the destruction
What’s striking about the response to these losses is how it speaks to a quiet revolution in public attitudes. Across the UK, people are waking up to the importance of protecting our trees – not just the famous ones, but all of them. These trees can’t just be replanted. Once they’re gone – they’re gone.
Research published by the Woodland Trust in its State of the UK’s Woods and Trees 2021 report reveals a sobering picture. Only 7% of the UK is covered by native woodland in good ecological condition. We’re seeing declines in woodland birds, butterflies, and plants, and an increase in threats from pests, diseases, and climate change. The ancient and veteran trees that do remain – like the felled oak at Toby Carvery are irreplaceable in their ecological and cultural value.
Ancient trees are more than landscape features. They offer shelter to hundreds of species, enrich soil, sequester carbon, cool our cities and offer quiet beauty that generations have appreciated. Even dead standing trees hugely increase the ecological diversity of a woodland.
What happened at Toby Carvery shouldn’t just be a moment of outrage. It should be a wake-up call. We need action – careful planting, long-term protection and a shift in policy that reflects the urgency of the crisis.
At the International Tree Foundation, we know the power of trees. And I’m encouraged to see more and more people waking up to the silent work that trees do to protect us all. So if the fall of these trees stirred something in you – don’t let that feeling fade. Help us plant, protect and stand for the trees that remain.
Together, let’s plant more trees where we can and protect what can’t be replaced.
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