Robin Hood’s Legendary Ancient Oak Dies After 1,000 Years, Wildlife Charity Confirms

The Major Oak, the towering ancient tree long associated with the legend of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest, has died, according to the RSPB, one of the U.K.’s leading bird and wildlife conservation charities.

Known for its vast trunk, measuring about 36 feet in circumference, and its twisting, dramatic branches, the Major Oak was believed to be around 1,200 years old, the charity said. For generations, it stood as one of Sherwood Forest’s most recognizable landmarks and a powerful symbol of the folklore tied to the region.

The RSPB said the tree had shown clear signs of decline for several years and did not produce any leaves this spring, confirming fears about its condition.

“Whilst the tree’s failure to produce leaves this year is heart-breaking for everyone — from the many people over the years who have looked after this magnificent tree to the millions who have travelled here to see it — we know the Major Oak will have a lasting legacy, first and foremost because it is so inextricably linked to Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest,” Hollie Drake, senior site manager at RSPB Sherwood Forest, said in a statement.

The organization said it has not been able to identify a single exact cause for the tree’s death. Instead, it pointed to a combination of factors, including poor soil conditions and a weakened root system.

The RSPB also said that past attempts to protect the oak may have unintentionally contributed to its decline. Those measures included metal bracing and protective coverings that helped preserve the tree’s striking form but may also have prevented it from aging in a more natural way.

The group also cited the effects of climate change and recent heat waves and drought. 

While the tree has died, the organization said the oak will remain standing in its place in the park, “continuing as an emblem in the landscape and providing valuable decaying wood habitat.”

In addition, acorns and cuttings from the tree have already been grown into saplings.

“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,” the organization said.