The Major Oak of Sherwood Forest, celebrated worldwide for its legendary ties to outlaw Robin Hood, has died.
The ancient tree, standing at the heart of Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Forest, was believed to be as old as 1,200 years, reports Sky News.
According to the RSPB, which manages the woodland, it failed to produce leaves this spring for the first time, marking its death after years of decline.
Conservationists said the oak had been weakened by repeated heatwaves, prolonged droughts and heavy visitor footfall that damaged the surrounding soil. The Woodland Trust, which named the Major Oak “Tree of the Year” in 2014, described its fate as the result of “excessive tourism.”
Ed Pyne, senior conservation adviser, said, “Its decline is a reminder — how we treat ancient trees today will determine whether they endure for future generations.”
For centuries, visitors could walk right up to the oak, which dates back to the Norman conquest. Many even climbed inside its hollow trunk. In the 1970s, however, the area was fenced off, and since then the tree has only been viewed from a distance.
Though it will remain standing as a monument, the RSPB’s local site manager called its failure to leaf “heartbreaking.”
Hollie Drake said, “The Major Oak will always carry a legacy, not only because of its inseparable link to Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest, but also because it continues to provide habitat for wildlife. Protecting such remarkable trees is vital for the future.”
Acorns and cuttings taken from the oak have already been cultivated, with saplings planted in locations around the world — ensuring its story and ecological heritage live on.
