Major Oak, Nottinghamshire

Home , Major Oak, Robin Hood (ballet), Sherwood Forest

Each month we feature an ancient British tree. the ANCIENTThis month the Ancient Tree Forum introduces usTREE to... column Major Oak, Nottinghamshire

rguably one of the world’s the most significant problems faced by most famous trees, Major the Major. Oak puts Sherwood Forest Given the tree’s popularity since the on the map, with its name Victorian era, the sandy soil around the conjuring up images of Robin Hood and tree has become compacted, inhibiting his band of merry men. However, it has normal root function. The tree was the not always been known by its current, centre of discussion at the Thinking Arather grand title – in the mid-17th century Arbs Day led by Ted Green, founder it was known as the Cockpen Tree due and president of the Ancient Tree to the prominence of the sport of cock Forum. Attendees discovered that, in fighting that used to take place there. an attempt to alleviate this compaction, The tree takes its current title from several layers of mulch have been Major Hayman Rooke who, in 1790, added over the last 10-20 years. It has included the tree in his popular book recently been identified that this mulch about the ancient oaks of Sherwood: isn’t having the desired effect – instead “On the north side of the great riding is of encouraging the decompaction of a most curious ancient oak... The trunk, the sandy soil beneath, it is simply which is wonderfully distorted, plainly adding extra weight. In places, the appears to have been much larger; and mulch is reaching a depth of 30cm, the parts from whence large pieces exacerbating the compaction problem. have fallen off are distinguishable... I To address this problem, the mulch think no one can behold this majestic is gradually being taken away, and ruin without pronouncing it to be of very alternative methods of decompaction remote antiquity...” are being investigated. With a girth in excess of 10m, this This case study highlights the tree is reputed to be in the region of potential dangers of prescriptive 1,000 years old. There is a long history management and the importance of of people visiting this tree, with a wealth monitoring. Only through evaluating of photographs recording people’s trips. the effects of management can we Unfortunately, this interest has had its toll ascertain whether it is having the on the health of this tree. Above ground, desired effect. If this tree, and many it is clear that the tree has been propped others in the UK, are to stay alive – a photo dating from 1904 shows the for another 1,000 years, we must team that fitted the original braces, most constantly seek to improve our likely in relation to concerns about the knowledge and base management on The Ancient Tree Forum champions the hollow trunk. Cavities and exposed wood data rather than speculation. biological, cultural and heritage value have also been covered with fibreglass, of Britain’s ancient and veteran trees, presumably in a misguided attempt to Thanks to Reg Harris of Urban Forestry and provides advice on their value and slow the rate of decay. While these issues (Bury St. Edmunds) Ltd for providing management at www.ancienttreeforum.co.uk have a strong visual impact, they are not photographs of the Major Oak. ©Ancient Tree Forum