Probably the most famous resident of Sherwood Forest (after Robin Hood of course), the iconic Major Oak is an ancient giant that absolutely cannot be missed.

Only a 15-minute walk from the new visitor centre, follow the Major Oak Trail through the forest from the visitor centre. Keep your eyes peeled when you follow this route, as you’ll also encounter some of Major Oak’s ancient, gnarled neighbours that make Sherwood so special!

In 2022, the Major Oak was selected as one of 70 ancient trees from around the UK which took their place in the Queen’s Green Canopy, a 70th Jubilee programme to inspire the planting of new trees across the country.

Want all the facts on this legendary giant before you visit? You can get to know the Major Oak by reading our FAQ’s below:

So, how old is the Major Oak?

Whilst no one knows an exact age, we do know it’s been standing for anywhere between 800 – 1100 years. If we go by the earliest estimate, it has stood through the Vikings, the Battle of Hastings, Agincourt, Waterloo, the births and deaths of Shakespeare, Henry VII, Dickens, Darwin, Newton, Chaucer, Cromwell, the two world wars, over 50 monarchs… it’s seen a lot!

During that time, it’s survived fire, raging winds, heavy snowstorms and hundreds of years of deforestation. It has watched as millions of people from all over the world have gathered around it to stare up at its branches.

Our work in the forest will continue to protect the Major Oak and its fellow giants for the years to come, as well as helping raise the next generation of ancient oak trees for the future of Sherwood Forest!

Just how big are we talking?

The Major Oak is the biggest oak tree in Britain, with a canopy spread of 28 metres, a trunk circumference of 11 metres and an estimated weight of 23 tonnes. It’s not clear whether the Major Oak is one tree or multiple saplings that have fused together. The soil below is also relatively poor and acidic, meaning the oak has had to take things steady, slowly growing over a long time to reach this size. It seems to have grown up in a clearing for most of its life, being able to grow outwards without having to compete against other trees. This is what allowed the Major Oak to spread its great boughs and fill as much space as possible.

Although it’s undeniably big, it’s not called the Major Oak because of its size. In 1790, soldier and antiquarian Major Hayman Rooke (1723-1806) wrote a book detailing the oak trees of the area and people began to refer to it as the Major Oak in his honour.

What are the fences and supports about?

In years gone by, it was possible to walk right up to Major Oak, and even climb inside it. Unfortunately, the tree’s popularity meant its roots began to suffer from compaction, caused by the footsteps of thousands of people coming to see it each year. It’s been fenced off since the 1970s, allowing our visitors to appreciate its magnificence whilst also giving it a little room to breathe and stay healthy!

The chains attached to the Major Oak’s 

READ MORE HERE: https://www.visitsherwood.co.uk/explore-the-forest/the-major-oak/