Ancient Robin Hood Oak at risk as heatwave causes 'false autumn' in Sherwood Forest
The Major Oak, linked to Robin Hood, faces severe stress from extreme temperatures leading to early leaf shedding.
An ancient oak tied to Robin Hood is in 'severe stress' after warmest summer on record triggers false autumn.
The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, in Nottinghamshire, is thought to be 1,000 years old and has survived fires, winds, snowstorms - and once gave shelter to the outlaw Robin Hood, as legend has it - during its long life.
But this year, "fear" for the tree's health rose after recent images showed the oak without a single green leaf - well ahead of normal shedding period.
It comes after trees and plants across the UK battle their third consecutive summer of prolonged drought during their growing season - average temperature of 16.2 °C - which experts say has pushed us into a 'false autumn'.
This is where trees and plants shed their leaves and fruit in a bid to survive due to extreme summer conditions.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds charity (RSPB) has been working closely with some of the UK’s best tree and soil specialists to help the Major Oak, as this year's extended drought takes its toll.
But they claim that efforts to 'save' the mighty oak is becoming a "significant challenge" with more extreme weather.
Chloe Ryder, operations manager at RSPB, said: “This year, once again, its leaf coverage demonstrates the massive stress that the tree is under.
"A tree this old, with such a complex history, faces gargantuan challenges as it is, which are being continually exacerbated by very hot and very dry summers.”
The charity aims to keep the forest's ancient oaks alive for as long as possible.
But the Met Office's warning that extreme weather was the "new normal" continues to have concerning ramifications for the future of thee nation's ancient trees.