Recorded by: Not specified, Tree Register of the British Isles
Heritage Tree
Possibly the most famous tree in England
Trees of National Special Interest (TNSI)
Tree of the Year – Winner
England, 2014
Champion Tree – County’s Fattest
This tree came 6th in the European Tree of the Year competition 2015 with 9,941 votes. First known as the Cockpen Tree because of the cockfighting held beneath it, the Major Oak has also been called the Queen Oak and Robin Hood’s Oak. This last name was because it was reputedly the hiding place of the famous outlaw. Its current name is taken from Major Hayman Rooke who described the oak in 1790.
This tree came 6th in the European Tree of the Year competition 2015 with 9,941 votes. First known as the Cockpen Tree because of the cockfighting held beneath it, the Major Oak has also been called the Queen Oak and Robin Hood’s Oak. This last name was because it was reputedly the hiding place of the famous outlaw. Its current name is taken from Major Hayman Rooke who described the oak in 1790.
In 1906 Elwes and Henry visited the MAjor OAk and recorded its girth. In 2006 the Ancient Tree Hunt Team visited the Major Oak and also recorded its girth. In 2007 this tree is the first to be verified on the live Ancient Tree Hunt web site. Now for the remaining 100,000
We had a great team meeting here in September 2006 and reconstructed a photograph given to us by a Woodland Trust volunteer, taken in the 1960s, as our team photo. Some wonderful trees all around too that don't get the same attention as the Major Oak - don't miss them!
In 1990 the girth of this tree was officially recorded as 1,059 cms. In 1790 Major Hayman Rooke recorded the girth as 27ft 4in (833 cms). The tree appears to be growing at 1.13cm girth per year. So in 1990 the tree was 1059/1.13 =937 years old (approx of course). This method of ageing an old tree agrees closely with completely different methods, which place the age at 800 to 1000 years.
In 1970 I lead a party of Scouts from Letchworth to the scout camp site at Walsby Forest. We walked in Sherwood Forest and discovered Robin's tree standing proud and unfenced. In hollow core of the tree housed all 14 of us at a pinch
Peter Deary retired scout leader 4th Letchworth (St.Pauls) Scout Troop
05/082023 The Original Ancient Tree Forum 'Tree Professors' held an informal meet up at the Major Oak and Sherwood guided and informed by Luke Steer and Stu Bowen (Reg Harris poorly) and of course, Ted Green, along with many other world-respected tree professors. What an incredibly informing day we had. Sadly, the Major Oak is looking not too well currently. Watch this space for updates on any works etc that may be announced soon.
In 1906 Elwes and Henry visited the MAjor OAk and recorded its girth. In 2006 the Ancient Tree Hunt Team visited the Major Oak and also recorded its girth. In 2007 this tree is the first to be verified on the live Ancient Tree Hunt web site. Now for the remaining 100,000
We had a great team meeting here in September 2006 and reconstructed a photograph given to us by a Woodland Trust volunteer, taken in the 1960s, as our team photo. Some wonderful trees all around too that don't get the same attention as the Major Oak - don't miss them!
In 1990 the girth of this tree was officially recorded as 1,059 cms. In 1790 Major Hayman Rooke recorded the girth as 27ft 4in (833 cms). The tree appears to be growing at 1.13cm girth per year. So in 1990 the tree was 1059/1.13 =937 years old (approx of course). This method of ageing an old tree agrees closely with completely different methods, which place the age at 800 to 1000 years.
In 1970 I lead a party of Scouts from Letchworth to the scout camp site at Walsby Forest. We walked in Sherwood Forest and discovered Robin's tree standing proud and unfenced. In hollow core of the tree housed all 14 of us at a pinch Peter Deary retired scout leader 4th Letchworth (St.Pauls) Scout Troop
05/082023 The Original Ancient Tree Forum 'Tree Professors' held an informal meet up at the Major Oak and Sherwood guided and informed by Luke Steer and Stu Bowen (Reg Harris poorly) and of course, Ted Green, along with many other world-respected tree professors. What an incredibly informing day we had. Sadly, the Major Oak is looking not too well currently. Watch this space for updates on any works etc that may be announced soon.