Ancient Sherwood Forest oak tree reputed to have sheltered Robin Hood has died [View all]

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Ancient Sherwood Forest oak tree reputed to have sheltered Robin Hood has died

By Sam Peters
Updated 10 hr ago
Updated Jun 17, 2026, 7:14 PM ET
PUBLISHED Jun 17, 2026, 7:01 PM ET


Sherwood Forest's Major Oak, shown here in June 2025, failed to produce any new leaves this spring. (Steven Bramall/Alamy Stock Photo)

London — When knights of old went looking for Robin Hood, they knew where to find him. The legendary outlaw has been associated with England’s Sherwood Forest for centuries, and one tree in particular has traditionally been cited as his hideout: the Major Oak.

Scientists now believe this 1,200-year-old oak tree has died after it failed to produce any new leaves this spring, British conservation body the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said in a news release.

With a canopy spread of 28 meters (92 feet) and a trunk circumference of 11 meters (36 feet), the Major Oak was one of the biggest trees in Britain. Supports for some of the branches were put in place in the early 20th century, and the tree was fenced off in the 1970s.


Support beams began to be placed under the tree's branches in the early 20th century. (RSPB)

A combination of soil compression around the tree and hot, dry summers led to the tree’s decline, the RSPB said.

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