Last Month we learned that a beloved Elm in Waterville’s Castonguay Square, Ellie, had died and must be taken down. Now we have some more sad tree news.
One of England’s most famous trees, the ancient Major Oak of Sherwood Forest, appears to have died after failing to grow leaves this spring.
The massive oak, believed to be around 1,200 years old and closely tied to the legend of Robin Hood, had long been a popular tourist attraction. Conservationists say decades of visitors compacting the soil around the tree likely made it harder for water to reach its roots. Climate change, including periods of drought and extreme heat, may have also played a role.
The tree had survived previous reports of its demise, but experts now say its root system was severely damaged. The Major Oak became famous after being featured in an 18th-century book and was said to have provided shelter to the legendary outlaw Robin Hood.
Its loss marks the end of a living piece of English history and folklore that attracted millions of visitors over the years.
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