Robin Hood (Steve Warrington), left, fights one of Sheriff's men in front of Major Oak tree during 29th annual Robin Hood Festival at Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire. (Photo by Rui Vieira/PA Images via Getty Ima …
A centuries-old oak tree that was the fabled home of the legendary English bandit, Robin Hood, has died.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said the 1,200-year-old Major Oak, located in famed Sherwood Forest, did not sprout any leaves at all in the spring, leading them to believe that the tree is dead.
What they're saying:
The RSPB released a statement making the announcement saying, "The tree’s failure to produce leaves this year is heartbreaking for everyone."
What we know:
The conservation group said that over the past two hundred years, millions of visitors have come to see the tree’s sprawled limbs and overarching canopy, but the foot traffic could have contributed to its downfall.
Over time, the ground compressed the soil, making it difficult for rain to reach the roots. However, it may not have been one exact cause though, with climate change bringing heatwaves and drought also may have played a role.
The other side:
For years, the RSPB has denied rumors of the tree’s death. There have been intervention efforts, using a complex system of cables and polls, to shore up the tree’s massive limbs.
What they're saying:
"Ancient trees like the Major Oak are the ‘conservation white rhinos of the U.K.’ but their decline is far less visible," said Ed Pyne, of the Woodland Trust. "Saving them is vital to the health of the world we live in and yet most disappear quietly, without the recognition or care given to the Major Oak."
The legend of Robin Hood
Robin Hood, is a legendary English heroic outlaw, whose story has been featured in a variety of movies, stories and literature over the course of several hundred years. Each story tells tales of how he stole from the rich and gave to the poor while taking refuge in Sherwood Forest.
The tree's massive hallowed girth of the trunk of the tree was said to help hide Robin Hood from the Sheriff of Nottingham.
By the numbers:
At its largest, the tree weighs around 23 tons, measures 33 feet in circumference and spreads over 92 feet. Those measurements would make it the biggest oak tree in Britain.
The Source: This story was written with information provided by The Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando.