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Ancient Major Oak Dies; Drought, Tourism Cited, RSPB Sends Acorns

6/18/2026

26 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

RSPB Reports Oak Death

The RSPB announced that the 1,200-year-old Major Oak, with an 11-metre girth, has died in Sherwood Forest.
Reg Harris, director of Urban Forestry Ltd, linked the death to five hot drought summers, including a 40 °C July 2022.
Chloe Ryder, RSPB estate manager, said tourist footfall compacted the soil into concrete-like layers.
The RSPB is distributing acorns and cuttings worldwide as saplings and urging stronger legal protection.

Summary

Sheriff Pardons

In 1966 the Sheriff of Nottingham pardoned Robin Hood at the oak, reported by the Daily Mirror.
Suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst led over 30 suffragettes to Edwinstowe in 1912, with twenty entering the oak.
Originally called the Cockpen Tree, the oak was named for Major Hayman Rooke and received iron rods by 1904, metal posts after 1999, and was fenced off in the mid-1970s when a visitor centre opened.

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RSPB Reports Oak Death

The RSPB announced that the 1,200-year-old Major Oak, with an 11-metre girth, has died in Sherwood Forest.
Reg Harris, director of Urban Forestry Ltd, linked the death to five hot drought summers, including a 40 °C July 2022.
Chloe Ryder, RSPB estate manager, said tourist footfall compacted the soil into concrete-like layers.
The RSPB is distributing acorns and cuttings worldwide as saplings and urging stronger legal protection.

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