Stroud Green tree at centre of years-long campaign under threat of the chop

Haringey Tree Defenders has spent years fighting the council to save the tree but insurers still say it is damaging people’s homes, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

A previous protest at the plane tree in Oakfield Road (submitted by Giovanna Iozzi) — A 2022 protest at the plane tree in Oakfield Road (submitted by Giovanna Iozzi)

A threatened tree at the centre of a three-year campaign in Stroud Green is facing the axe once again.

Haringey Council is currently consulting on a fresh proposal to remove the Oakfield Road plane tree, which is around 120 years old, giving residents until Tuesday, 17th June to respond.

Insurers Allianz and Aviva claim the tree is causing damage to the foundations of nearby homes and that hundreds of thousands of pounds could potentially be paid out in future, which is the justification used by the council for felling it.

But an environmental campaign group, Haringey Tree Protectors, says this claim is unsubstantiated.

Campaigner Gio Iozzi said both insurers recently agreed to finally pay for the work on the two houses affected, meaning there was now “no need to fell this tree”.

However, a court ruled in 2024 that the council was lawfully permitted to remove it.

Gio said poor foundations, clay soil movement, droughts or floods could also be contributing to issues with the homes’ foundations and believed there wasn’t enough evidence to support the tree’s removal.

“Trees should not be felled just in case there is the potential of damage to houses in the future,” she said. “If this logic is followed, all trees in Haringey would need to be felled just in case.”

She added: “Trees are only one factor in a range of pressures on houses.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are currently consulting on a proposal to remove the tree.

“The court ruled in 2024 that a previous decision by the council to remove the tree was lawful and refused permission to bring an appeal against this.

“We are undertaking a further consultation in view of new statutory requirements that have come into force since that decision.

“Our proposal is based on consideration of the evidence submitted on behalf of the owners of the properties.

“We will carefully consider all the feedback we receive, including any new information or changes of circumstances, before coming to a final decision on the future of the tree.”

Gio added there was “no rationale” to fell the tree and that green urban infrastructure was needed now “more than ever”.

“Big canopy trees cool our streets, absorb our pollution, provide habitat for species and disperse flood water. We need to protect our urban forest amid climate breakdown.”

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