Birmingham loses iconic 'Witching' oak as Tree of Life memorial taken down for restoration

Park rangers in Birmingham announced that the century‑old “Witching” oak in Sutton Park has died. The tree, long linked to local folklore, will remain standing as dead wood to support invertebrates, fungi and other wildlife.

The city’s World War II memorial, the bronze “Tree of Life” sculpture that commemorates more than 9,000 civilian casualties from the Birmingham Blitz, has been removed after 21 years for restoration by Castle Foundry. It is expected to be re‑installed later this year in a new memorial garden beside St Martin’s in the Bull Ring ahead of the annual Remembrance Service.