Overview
- The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds confirmed on June 19 that the Major Oak failed to leaf this spring and is now dead.
- Conservationists say the tree’s decline came from a mix of human and environmental factors, including century‑old metal, concrete and fiberglass supports that altered its aging, severely compacted sandy soil from heavy tourism, a reduced root system and climate stresses such as heat and drought.
- The Major Oak was a well‑known cultural symbol first recorded in 1790 and had been measured at roughly a 10‑metre trunk circumference, branches up to 28 metres and an estimated weight near 23 tonnes.
- Authorities plan to leave the standing trunk in Sherwood Forest as a natural monument for visitors and wildlife rather than remove it, a decision conservationists say will let it continue to provide habitat even in death.
- Experts and groups such as the Woodland Trust say the tree’s end should change how veteran trees are managed by limiting foot traffic, protecting root zones and rethinking intrusive supports to prevent similar quiet losses elsewhere.