Robin Hood's famous oak in Sherwood Forest has been declared dead
The legendary oak tree in the English Sherwood Forest, known as the "Major Oak" and traditionally considered Robin Hood's hideout, has died. This was reported on June 18 by CNN with reference to the British Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
The legend that brought fame to the oak tree in Sherwood Forest
Scientists have concluded that the 1.2 thousand-year-old tree died after not a single new leaf appeared on it in the spring. According to experts, the cause of the plant's decline was a combination of soil compaction around the trunk and several periods of extremely hot and dry summers.
"Although the Major Oak team has worked tirelessly to restore the environment around this iconic tree — and has seen encouraging signs of life in some places — the damage now appears to have already been too deeply rooted to be fully repaired," said Simon Parfi, managing director of soil microbiology company SoilBioLab.
According to experts, the last stage of decline coincided with five very hot and dry summer seasons. Experts especially highlighted July 20222, when a record temperature of 1 +40 degrees was recorded in the UK.
Despite the biological death, the oak tree will remain in its historical place. Holly Drake, RSPB Senior Manager at Sherwood Forest, emphasized that the tree will continue to exist as a natural monument, bringing as much benefit to the forest ecosystem after its death as it did during its lifetime.
The Major Oak was considered one of the largest trees in Britain, with a trunk circumference of 11 m and a crown span of 28 m. At the beginning of the 20th century, special supports were installed to support the massive branches, and in the 1970s the tree was fenced off. The oak's growing popularity among millions of tourists has led to the fact that the ground around it has become as hard as concrete.
Previously, acorns and cuttings of this tree were used to grow seedlings that were planted all over the world, including at the residence of the US Ambassador in London. According to experts, with proper care, the trunk of the deceased giant will be able to stand for another decades or even centuries.
Last July, two British men were sentenced to four years and three months in prison for destroying the Robin Hood Tree, CBS News reported. It was specified that Sycamore Gap sycamore tree has been growing for more than 150 years. The defendants were charged with causing damage to the plant in the amount of more than £ 622 thousand (more than $832 thousand) and damage to Hadrian's Wall in the amount of more than £ 1.1 thousand (more than $ 1.3 thousand)..
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