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Major Oak, Sherwood Forest

Perhaps England's most famous tree, the Major Oak is believed to be about 1,000 years old, and lives in Sherwood Forest. In popular mythology, the tree has many associations with Robin Hood and his outlaw band. Its species is Quercus robur or English Oak. Its ancient arms have been supported by cables, chains or posts, and protected by sheets of lead, since about 1900. Old photos Link show it was once surrounded by open space and the earth trodden down by many visitors, leading to rain run-off and starvation of the tree. Recently it has been fenced off and mulch laid down to prevent this runoff, and the canopy is now much larger and healthier. Its girth was accurately measured in 1790 and comparison with today's girth indicates a growth rate of 1cm/year. Extrapolating back shows a planting date of about 1000 AD, in Saxon times. Many oak trees adopt this 'short and wide shape' when allowed to grow in the open.