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Though known for its impressive height, folklore and its cultural and symbolic importance, the Major Oak also is of huge importance for Sherwood Forest’s wildlife. 🌳🐛

Until recently, the tree was one of the few hundred living Ancient Oak trees remaining in the forest’s landscape. Ancient trees, like the Major Oak, provide a rare and vital habitat for hundreds of species, many of which are under great threat. Once an ancient tree dies, the decaying wood habitat it provides for those species becomes finite, making it of huge importance that the loss of living ancient and veteran trees is slowed down, to keep a sustained decaying wood resource and reduce the threat of disruption to the entire ecosystem.

To help provide a haven for wildlife in the forest, the tree will continue to stand in Sherwood Forest as a natural monument.

📸 Phil Lockwood Photography