A Haringey Council spokesperson said:
We have been fighting to save this tree since the original claim was made in 2015 and had no choice other than to look to remove it before the judge’s decision today.
If the tree remains, the latest estimates tell us the council risks facing an insurance claim of up to £1million which would be better spent on delivering key frontline services.
The judgement today in the High Court to take this to Judicial Review shows the magnitude of this decision and the challenge faced by boroughs up and down the country with the same dilemma.
It is wrong that councils are having to make the choice between saving a tree and paying huge sums of taxpayers’ money or felling a tree, so the insurers do not have to pay for tree damage cover.
We understand that some residents on Oakfield Road have been concerned by the scaffolding erected around the tree and the presence of security guards over the last few days.
These measures were to secure possession of the tree, prevent any unauthorised occupation, or anyone putting themselves at risk of injury. This was to ensure we were able to fell the tree in a safe manner. In view of the decision by the judge, it is now right these additional safety and security measures are removed.
We will not take any further action until the court makes a final decision.
