The Major Oak
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recorded by: Not specified
-
Heritage Tree
Possibly the most famous tree in England
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Trees of National Special Interest (TNSI)
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Tree of the Year – Winner
England, 2014
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Champion Tree – County’s Fattest
The Major Oak is one of the UK’s most iconic trees due to its vast age, size and links to the legend of Robin Hood. The gigantic tree, which stands at the heart of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, is estimated to be up to 1,200 years old. Millions would visit over the next two centuries, drawn by the legends surrounding the tree, which has continued to be an impressive sight with its vast array of limbs, sprawling canopy and large, hollowing trunk which visitors at one time would climb into. The Major Oak has been in decline for some time and as of mid-2026 was pronounced as dead by experts. This is due to a combination of factors including root compaction, a shifting climate characterised by more drought, and well-meaning mechanical interventions over the past 125 years.
- Species:
- Pedunculate oakQuercus robur
- Form:
- Pollard form (natural)
- Standing or fallen:
- Standing
- Living status:
- Dead
- Girth:
- 10.66m at a height of 0.90m
- Veteran status:
- Ancient tree
- County:
- Nottinghamshire
- Country:
- England
- Grid reference:
- SK6205367902
- Public accessibility:
- Public - open access (e.g. public park)
- Surroundings:
- --
-
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The Major Oak
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recorded by: Not specified
- Species:
- Pedunculate oak
- Form:
- Pollard form (natural)
- Standing or fallen:
- Standing
- Living status:
- Dead
- Girth:
- 10.66m at a height of 0.90m
- Condition:
- --
- Veteran status:
- Ancient tree
- Tree number:
- 1
- Local or historic name:
- The Major Oak
- Tag number:
- County:
- Nottinghamshire
- Country:
- England
- Grid reference:
- SK6205367902
- Public accessibility:
- Public - open access (e.g. public park)
- Surroundings:
- --
- Ancient tree site:
- Sherwood Forest Country Park
- Woodland Trust wood:
- No
- Epiphytes:
- --
- Fungi:
- --
- Invertebrates:
- --
- Bats:
- --
- Recorded by:
- Not specified
- Recording organisation:
- --
- Last visited:
- 18/06/2026
- First recorded:
- 01/01/2006
In 1906 Elwes and Henry visited the MAjor OAk and recorded its girth. In 2006 the Ancient Tree Hunt Team visited the Major Oak and also recorded its girth. In 2007 this tree is the first to be verified on the live Ancient Tree Hunt web site. Now for the remaining 100,000
We had a great team meeting here in September 2006 and reconstructed a photograph given to us by a Woodland Trust volunteer, taken in the 1960s, as our team photo. Some wonderful trees all around too that don't get the same attention as the Major Oak - don't miss them!
In 1990 the girth of this tree was officially recorded as 1,059 cms. In 1790 Major Hayman Rooke recorded the girth as 27ft 4in (833 cms). The tree appears to be growing at 1.13cm girth per year. So in 1990 the tree was 1059/1.13 =937 years old (approx of course). This method of ageing an old tree agrees closely with completely different methods, which place the age at 800 to 1000 years.
In 1970 I lead a party of Scouts from Letchworth to the scout camp site at Walsby Forest. We walked in Sherwood Forest and discovered Robin's tree standing proud and unfenced. In hollow core of the tree housed all 14 of us at a pinch Peter Deary retired scout leader 4th Letchworth (St.Pauls) Scout Troop
05/082023 The Original Ancient Tree Forum 'Tree Professors' held an informal meet up at the Major Oak and Sherwood guided and informed by Luke Steer and Stu Bowen (Reg Harris poorly) and of course, Ted Green, along with many other world-respected tree professors. What an incredibly informing day we had. Sadly, the Major Oak is looking not too well currently. Watch this space for updates on any works etc that may be announced soon.
Big update! On Thursday 18th June 2026, the tree was confirmed dead by experts. It had been struggling with heatwaves and not showing signs of new growth.