Has Robin Hood's 1,000-year-old Major Oak died? Ancient tree that sheltered heroic outlaw's merry men is leafless

Published: 00:45, 18 June 2026 | Updated: 00:47, 18 June 2026 It has stood proudly in Sherwood Forest for more than 1,000 years and, legend has it, sheltered Robin Hood and his band of merry men. But experts believe the Major Oak has died after its first spring without producing any leaves. The RSPB, which manages the woods in Nottinghamshire where the tree stands, said it had been in decline for some years. The soil around it has become compacted from the footfall of millions of visitors, making it harder for rain to penetrate and for the root system to take up nutrients.  Testing showed the soil to be as solid as concrete in some spots. This, along with a run of heatwaves and droughts, has compounded the challenges it would naturally face at its age. Hollie Drake of RSPB Sherwood Forest, said the tree's failure to produce leaves this year was 'heartbreaking for everyone'.  But she said: 'We know the Major Oak will have a lasting legacy, first and foremost because it is so inextricably linked to Robin Hood.  'But beyond its cultural heritage, the Major Oak will continue to provide important habitat for wildlife, reminding us why these remarkable trees are so important.' Experts believe the Major Oak (pictured) has died after its first spring without producing any leaves Ed Pyne at the Woodland Trust called for stronger legal protections for ancient woods and said the tree's decline was a warning – 'the way we treat ancient trees today will shape whether they survive for future generations'. The Major Oak earned its name after it was mentioned in a book by Major Hayman Rooke in 1790. Acorns and cuttings have been grown from it, and saplings planted around the world. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.