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Robin Hood's Oak Tree Finally Falls
2 Jul
Summary
- The ancient Major Oak tree, linked to Robin Hood, has died after 1,200 years.
- Soil compaction and dry summers stressed the tree, leading to its decline.
- Its genetic legacy lives on through saplings grown worldwide.
An ancient oak, known as the Major Oak and estimated to be up to 1,200 years old, has died at Sherwood Forest in England. This tree, famously associated with the legend of Robin Hood, failed to produce leaves this spring, signaling its end.
Conservationists attributed its decline to compacted soil around its roots, caused by decades of footfall from visitors. Recent hot, dry summers, including a record heatwave in July 2022, further stressed the struggling tree.
Measures taken to protect the tree, such as support beams and fencing, may have inadvertently hastened its decline. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), managing the forest since 2018, has studied the tree with experts.
Though deceased, the Major Oak will remain standing, offering habitat for wildlife. Saplings grown from its acorns and cuttings have been planted globally, preserving its genetic lineage.
