The tree surgeons came today to begin the process of felling the beautiful Cedar of Lebanon Tree that has stood in the grounds of All Saints’ Church for some 100 years or so. It was identified in 2019 that the tree had had succumbed to a fungal infection which recommended the tree be felled. This was then confirmed by a further report which was undertaken in late 2024. The second report was a special x-ray survey which showed the tree was virtually hollow inside. As you can see from the photograph, the centre of the tree is hollow, with all the dark wood around the hole being dead wood. In addition, the branches were very brittle, meaning limited water was reaching them. This means that the fears of both tree specialists that branches might fall was very real.
We are immensely sad at the loss of this lovely tree. Before the tree was felled, prayers were said to give thanks for the life of the tree – and the many ways in which it has served so many different people in the area across the generations, as well as providing a home for wildlife. You can read the prayer below. Copies are available from All Saints’ Church. Please let us know if you would like one.
You can also see information about the disease on the post we made last year: Public Notice: Diseased tree to be felled
We’ll be planting a new Cedar of Lebanon Tree and will give the date on our website and social media when we have a date for this.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving for the life of the Cedar of Lebanon Tree at All Saints’ Church, in the Parish of South Oxhey and Carpenders Park: 11 February 2025
God, our creator and redeemer, to you who formed a thousand worlds and who gives the gift of life we give our thanks and praise.
We give you thanks for the gift of life which we enjoy with the whole of creation: with the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, with the plants of the earth and the trees of the field.
We praise you especially for this amazing and beautiful cedar tree which has grown to stand so tall in this place. We praise you for shade enjoyed under its boughs when the heat of the sun has been fierce. We praise you for the shelter provided by its leaves and branches when rain has been heavy. We praise you for the food and home it has given to birds and insects. We praise you for the fun enjoyed by children who have climbed its branches in both its youth and in theirs.
God, our creator and redeemer, we know that to all living things is given a span of life and that all living things must die. As the life of this tree comes to an end, we thank you for all the memories it holds for us, for all the pleasure it has given to us, for all the joy we have enjoyed in its presence.
To us who will miss its presence, bring consolation. To us who mourn its death, bring peace. To us who long for life, bring hope.
With all of Creation we offer these prayers to you, O Lord our God, the giver of new life in Christ. Amen.
All Saints' Church 