Legendary Major Oak in Sherwood Forest Declared Dead After Centuries

The Major Oak, the famed ancient tree in Sherwood Forest long linked to the legend of Robin Hood, has been declared dead by conservation experts. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said the 1,200-year-old oak failed to produce leaves this spring, following a prolonged decline that had been visible in recent years.

The tree’s deterioration has been attributed to a combination of factors, including soil compaction from millions of visitors, years of structural intervention to support its limbs, and increasingly hot, dry summers linked to climate change. Experts said it was difficult to identify a single cause, but described the damage as deeply entrenched and no longer reversible.

The Major Oak was one of Britain’s best-known and largest oaks, with a canopy spread of about 28 metres and a trunk circumference of roughly 11 metres. It became a major tourist attraction through its association with Robin Hood, though historians note that early medieval stories do not specifically mention the tree by name. The oak was first popularised in a 1790 book by Major Hayman Rooke, which helped spark waves of tourism to Sherwood Forest.

Although dead, the tree will remain standing in Sherwood Forest as a natural monument and wildlife habitat. Conservationists say it may continue to support the local ecosystem for years, and saplings grown from its acorns and cuttings have been planted in locations around the world. Tributes from conservation figures and supporters have framed its loss as both an environmental and cultural moment, marking the end of one of the United Kingdom’s most famous ancient trees.