Legendary Robin Hood tree dies

One of the most famous trees in Britain, the centuries-old oak in Sherwood Forest associated with the legend of Robin Hood, appears to have died, according to the organization that cared for it, quoted by AFP. The tree, known as the "Major Oak", is considered one of the largest oaks in the United Kingdom and one of the emblematic symbols of the county of Nottinghamshire.

• A tree over a thousand years old and a living legend

The "Major Oak" has a trunk circumference of about 11 meters and is estimated to be about 1,200 years old. According to legend, it was used by Robin Hood as a hiding place from the Sheriff of Nottingham, during confrontations between the outlaw and the authorities. Sherwood Forest is said to have been the scene of Robin Hood stealing from nobles to help the poor, and the tree has become a symbol of this folk tale.

• Signs of decline: lack of leaves and drought

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which manages the nature reserve, announced that the oak tree has not produced any leaves this year, and experts believe that the tree is dead. "It's heartbreaking for everyone," said Hollie Drake, director of the Sherwood Forest site. According to specialists, the decline has been accelerated by pollution and repeated droughts in recent years, which have seriously affected the biological structure of the tree.

• A protected tree, but fragile in the face of climate change

Over time, the "Major Oak" has been supported with artificial structures, and its cavities have been reinforced, in an attempt to prolong its life. Even so, ancient trees remain vulnerable to environmental change, and the Sherwood case is seen as a symbol of the fragility of ancient ecosystems. Although the tree appears to have died, the RSPB said acorns and cuttings from it have been used to grow new oak saplings, which have been spread around the world. Thus, the legacy continues in the form of young trees, even though the original specimen has reached the end of its natural cycle.

Sherwood Forest remains one of the most important reserves of ancient oaks in Western Europe, and the disappearance of its most famous symbol marks a significant cultural and natural loss.