Experts believe the famous Robin Hood tree in Sherwood Forest has died. For the first time in over a millennium, Major Oak in Nottingham's Sherwood Forest failed to produce leaves this spring, signalling the tree's demise.
The ancient oak tree is estimated to be more than 1,200 years old, meaning it would have been around in the 12th century during the High and Late Middle Ages, when Robin Hood is said to have lived.
As the meeting place and shelter of the legendary outlaw and his Merry Men, the oak is integral to the Robin Hood story, and it's arguably the strongest physical link to the enduring folklore that still exists.
Why did the Robin Hood tree die?
The RSPB, which manages the forest, says the tree had been in decline for some time and, despite efforts to improve its health, it stopped leafing out this year.
It remains unclear exactly what caused the tree's death, but the charity points to a "complex combination of issues," including soil compaction caused by millions of visitors over the years and the effects of a changing climate.
Simon Parfey, Managing Director of SoilBioLab, specialists in soil microbiology testing, has been part of the expert team caring for the Major Oak since 2021. "The soil around the Major Oak was under far greater stress than anyone initially realised," he says.
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Early surveys revealed that the root system had been struggling for many years because of poor soil and severe ground compaction.
"While the Major Oak team worked tirelessly to revive the environment around this iconic tree – and saw encouraging signs of life in some areas – the damage, it now seems, was already too deeply entrenched to fully reverse."
Extreme temperatures are also thought to have played a part. Reg Harris, Director of Urban Forestry (Bury St Edmunds) Ltd, monitored the tree's canopy for the past nine years, says he has seen a noticeable decline in leaf production.
"The most recent decline has corresponded with five very hot and droughty summers, most notably in July 2022 when the UK experienced record temperatures of 40°C," he says.
"Sadly, it seems probable the lack of summer rainfall over the last five years, coupled with the unprecedented high temperatures, has had a significant hand in [the tree's death]."
What happens to Major Oak now?
Although the tree has died, it will remain in its familiar spot in Sherwood Forest as a natural monument for visitors and a valuable habitat for wildlife.
Part of the ancient oak will also live on through new saplings being grown from its acorns and cuttings.
"There are Major Oak saplings planted in locations right around the world, so we are planning work to ensure that its offspring will grow and generate their own acorns – and legends - for centuries to come," says Chloe Ryder, the RSPB’s Estate Operations Manager at Sherwood Forest.
Perhaps most importantly, the tree's demise has provided valuable lessons that could help protect the nearly 400 living oak trees that remain in Sherwood Forest.
"This has been a deeply humbling experience for all of us," Simon adds.
"However, the vital lessons we have learned here will directly help protect and care for other ancient trees across the nation. The Major Oak's true legacy is no longer just in folklore, but in the future of conservation."
Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
