Heartbreak as Robin Hood’s English Oak Tree Dies

by | Jun 22, 2026 | News

The Major Oak, an ancient oak tree linked to Robin Hood, has died after 1,200 years.

The oak stands in the heart of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire and is renowned for its association with the legendary outlaw Robin Hood.According to folklore Robin Hood used it as a shelter

Experts believe the historic tree is dead after it failed to produce any leaves this spring. Some are saying ‘excessive tourism’ for the Sherwood Forest icon’s demise is partly to blame. Climate change is also said to have played a role, with heatwaves and droughts adding further stress to the Major Oak. But it has been declining for some time, according to the RSPB, which manages the woodland.

Millions of visitors over the years compacted the soil around the tree so severely that recent tests found it was as hard as concrete in places. This made it difficult for rainwater to reach the roots and for the tree to absorb essential nutrients.

The RSPB says it will remain standing as a monument for visitors and wildlife. So, at least people will still be able to visit it, even though it is dead!

Source: GBN

READ MORE:

Include a visit to the Major Oak in your UK holiday, possibly during a 1 month UK Itinerary

Please like, share and follow along. Thank you.

 

(Just so you know: some of the links in this post might be affiliate links, which earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. No pressure to use my links, but I REALLY appreciate when you do! Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 


My Essential Live and Work Abroad (and Play) Resources

 

🏠 Where Will You Be Sleeping Tonight? – For a bed in a hostel or a hotel room I check out Booking.com. For longer-term accommodation I get free accommodation house and pet sitting through Trusted Housesitters – this has saved me thousands on accommodation, no joke!

✈️ Need a cheap and flexible airfare – head to Skyscanner.

 🚙 Car Rental – search and compare vehicles at DiscoverCars.

 🚆 Train Travel: I love riding the rails. For a rail pass in Europe head to Raileurope. And Japan has a great one too – JapanRail Pass.

🚌 Travelling by bus is often the cheapest way to travel. Compare and get a ticket or a pass at Busbud.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Jump-the-queue entrance tickets and day tours: I book these through GetYourGuide.

👕 For travel clothing and gear I get a lot of stuff from Amazon, North Face and Anaconda.

 🚑 Should you buy travel insurance? Absolutely Yes! SafetyWing is great digital nomads and long-term travellers and World Normads has policies for general and adventure travel.

 

Sharyn McCullum Sailing Through The Panama Canal With Storm Chasing Boat.

Hi, I’m Sharyn. Travel addict. Lover of ’80s music. Chocolate, coffee and Mexican food connoisseur. Travel Writing Digital Nomad specialising in writing about how to live and work abroad (and play abroad too). Currently living, working and playing in Australia.

Meet Live Work Play Travel?

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *