June 19Jun 19 LONDON (AP) — A massive ancient oak tree linked to the legend of Robin Hood may have been loved to death.The 1,200-year-old Major Oak in Sherwood Forest is believed to have died after it didn’t sprout leaves this spring, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said Thursday.Visitors over the past two centuries who viewed the tree’s gnarled limbs and sprawling canopy in Nottingham compressed the soil, making it difficult for rain to reach its roots, the conservation group said.The forest has been under threat for years and the tree had been rumored to have died in the past — only to have the group confirm it was still alive.That is no longer the case.“The tree’s failure to produce leaves this year is heartbreaking for everyone,” Hollie Drake of the RSPB said in a statement announcing the death.Source
June 21Jun 21 If they knew visitors were xcausing stress on the tree why didn’t they put up a fence,? Is it possible some part of the root system is alive and could be helped? Turn over the soil around the tree to loosen the dirt, fertilize.
June 21Jun 21 On 6/19/2026 at 9:18 AM, Elmira Telegram said:the Royal Society for the Protection of Birdsim thinking their 1st mistake was the agency they chose....
June 24Jun 24 21 minutes ago, Abby said:I mean...1200 years old...It had a good runTrue but Tourism could have been controlled better. Unlike Stonehenge, it was a living thing and I’m sure measures could have been put in place to keep the Tree safe. Did they have Arborists checking the Tree regularly? When signs of damage started appearing were measures taken to help like fertilizing and fencing. Perhaps if some type of treatment is tried there may be a work of life left in the beautiful old Tree.
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