A church in South Oxhey has bid a sorrowful farewell to a beloved cedar tree that stood for 400 years, acknowledging that while the decision to remove it was heartbreaking, it was ultimately necessary for safety reasons.

The ancient tree, located on the grounds of All Saints’ Church, was felled earlier this week after experts confirmed it had been affected by an incurable fungal infection.

According to the Watford Observer, despite a local campaign to save it, the church maintained that the risk posed by the tree’s deteriorating condition left them with no alternative.

"It was identified in 2019 that the tree had succumbed to a viral infection, which led to a recommendation to take it down. This was then confirmed by a second report in late 2024," a church spokesperson explained.

They added that the tree’s branches had become extremely brittle, creating a serious safety hazard.

The removal of the tree, which took place on Tuesday 11th February, has been met with disappointment from many in the community.

Hundreds of residents had signed a petition calling for its preservation, describing it as “a significant part of our local history.”

Campaigner Ryan White, a 38-year-old charity worker, expressed his sadness over the tree’s absence, telling the outlet, saying: "The empty space where it stood is a depressing sight. I'm not a tree surgeon, but the tree never looked in any way dangerous or weak to me."

Despite the loss, All Saints’ Church has confirmed that a new tree will be planted in its place, with the date for the planting yet to be announced. In a final tribute, prayers were said after the tree was felled, marking the end of an era for the historic landmark.