Story by Eli Haidari.

An oak tree first planted during the Victorian era was dismantled this morning at Teddington's Bushy Park.

Located on Keeper's Road, the veteran oak died in last year's drought and was removed this morning due to the increased risk it poses for vehicles and pedestrians heading to the nearby Pheasantry Cafe.

The oak was dismantled using a specialist crane, as seen in the video below, with sections weighing as much as a staggering two and a half tonnes.

After being carefully loaded into trucks, the tree sections were transported to an area just outside the playground of Bushy Park where they will act as a haven for park habitat before being placed into the playground at a later date.

The dismantled oak tree at its new home outside the Bushy Park playground (Credit: Royal Parks)

Matt Steinman, The Royal Parks Arboricultural Officer, said: "It was an oak that was declining and finally died during last year's drought, it was next to the road and did pose a significant risk, we have now dismantled it and brought it here (outside the playground) to be used as play equipment which I am sure young ones will immediately enjoy."

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