On the night of Friday 16 October 1987 a great storm, which lasted for ‘four violent hours’ destroyed an estimated 250,000 trees in southeast England.  Following it the London Evening Standard launched an appeal which raised funds for many new trees to the planted, including an oak (Quercus robur) which was planted outside Charing Cross station, in the City of Westminster on the first anniversary of the storm.

Edited 26 October 2022.