The Major Oak: Lessons from Sherwood’s Ancient Giant
- Callum Throw
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
Back at the end of November 2025, I paid a visit to an old friend: The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest.
It’s a tree I’ve visited many times over my 36 years on this planet—a blink of an eye compared to what this ancient giant has witnessed, and the most recent trip since the first time a curious, awe-struck six-year-old discovered it.
Growing up in Derbyshire, a short hop from Nottinghamshire, the Major Oak and the vast, sprawling Sherwood Forest in which it resides, wasn't just a tree, it was a playground for my imagination. I have such fond memories of running around with a bow and arrow, clambering on trees, in hollows and hearing all about the legends of Robin Hood and his Merry Men hiding within the massive trunk of the Major Oak.
But during my recent visit, that sense of childhood awe was replaced by a heavy sense of sadness.
Looking at the Major Oak today, it’s hard to ignore its fragile state. It stands propped up by a complex system of steel supports, its crown almost entirely devoid of live growth, thinning, sparse, struggling, and its life held in a delicate balance. It feels like an inevitable fate is approaching, and while it’s easy to look at its more recent management and raise questions, or look for someone to blame, the truth is much more complex.
A Legacy of Well-Intentioned Mistakes
It is important to be clear: this isn’t about blame. There isn’t one person or organization at fault. The Major Oak is a product of decades of well-intentioned but often misinformed decisions made during a time when our understanding of ancient tree management was in its infancy.
Looking at the Major Oak today, it’s hard to ignore its fragility.
In the past, management included:
Concrete fillings: Large cavities were filled with concrete to "strengthen" the trunk, which actually trapped moisture and accelerated rot.
Lead and fiberglass sheeting: Used to seal wounds, these materials restricted the tree’s ability to naturally compartmentalise decay.
Soil Compaction: For decades, visitor footsteps compacted the soil, effectively "suffocating" the roots by restricting water, oxygen, and nutrients.
From Preservation to Sensitive Management
Today, the approach has shifted. We no longer treat the tree like a crumbling building to be patched up, but as a living organism that needs the right environment to sustain itself. Organizations like the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) (who manage the site) and the Sherwood Forest Trust are working to move away from intrusive "fixes."
Current work being done to manage the tree includes:
Soil Restoration: Using specialised mulching to try and reverse some of the damage caused by decades of compaction.
The "Fence of Protection": While it keeps us at a distance, the fencing is vital for preventing further root damage (compaction) and allowing the delicate fungal networks (mycorrhizae) in the soil to recover.
Vigilant Monitoring: Experts from the Ancient Tree Forum provide ongoing guidance to ensure the steel propping is adjusted only when absolutely necessary, mimicking the tree's natural structural needs.
The Major Oak as Our Teacher
While the Major Oak stands as a stark reminder of the mistakes made in ancient tree management, we should also recognise the incredible gift it has given us. It has inspired curiosity in generations and sparked a lifelong love for nature in countless children—myself included.
Its most important role, however, might be the one it is playing right now: The Teacher.
Because of what we’ve learned from the Major Oak’s struggles, we are now better equipped to protect the "next generation" of veteran trees. If we can apply these hard-earned lessons to the other thousands of ancient oaks across the UK, then this giant still has one more legendary role to play.
Ancient trees deserve more than just preservation; they deserve informed, sensitive management that respects their ecology, their structure, and their story.
That's where working with industry professionals, with a knowledge and understanding of these irreplaceable trees, should be your first thought if you are responsible for an ancient or veteran tree. Learn more about our specialist veteran tree management services here.
Planning Your Visit
If you are visiting Sherwood Forest, take a moment to stand with the Major Oak.
Consider donating to the RSPB or the Sherwood Forest Trust to help fund the ongoing management, which is vitally important, and remember that The Major Oak may be a "stark reminder" of the past, but it is also a bridge to a better future for our woodlands.