Sherwood Forest’s Legendary Major Oak Declared Dead After 1,200 Years

The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, legendary shelter of Robin Hood, has been declared dead by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The 1,200-year-old tree failed to produce leaves this spring, confirming conservationists' worst fears.

Experts cite decades of drought, climate change, and severe soil compaction from millions of visitors as primary causes. These factors starved the ancient root system despite extensive preservation efforts.

Dame Judi Dench, patron of the Woodland Trust, urged lawmakers to strengthen legal protections for ancient trees following the loss. She highlighted the oak's millennium-long role as both cultural inspiration and vital wildlife habitat.

Cultural interest in the Robin Hood legend persists alongside this ecological loss. A24 releases "The Death of Robin Hood," starring Hugh Jackman, in the United States today.

The tree was named after Major Hayman Rooke’s 1790 publication which sparked early tourism. Its timber historically contributed to Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson’s Royal Navy ships and St Paul's Cathedral.

RSPB officials confirm the standing trunk will remain as a natural monument. Saplings propagated from the Major Oak have already been planted globally to preserve its genetic lineage.