Ministers Look at Tougher Tree Safeguards After Felling at Sycamore Gap

Ancient and culturally important trees in England could be given legal protections under plans set out in a government-commissioned report.

- Helena Horton

Sentencing guidelines would be changed so those who destroy important trees would face tougher criminal penalties. Additionally, a database of such trees would be drawn up and they could be given automatic protections, with the current system of tree preservation orders strengthened to accommodate this.

There was an outpouring of anger this week after it was revealed that a 500-year-old oak tree in Enfield, north London, had been sliced almost down to the stumps. It later emerged it had no specific legal protections, as is the case with most ancient and culturally important trees.

After the Sycamore Gap tree was felled in 2023, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs asked the Tree Council and Forest Research to examine protections for important trees and to see if they needed to be strengthened. The trial of two men accused of felling the Sycamore Gap tree is due to take place this month at Newcastle crown court.