The Major Oak - Exceptional Trees on Waymarking.com

The Major Oak is a huge oak tree near the village of Edwinstowe in the heart of Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, England. According to local folklore, it was Robin Hood's shelter where he and his merry men slept. It weighs an estimated 23 tons, has a girth of 33 feet (10 metres), and is about 800–1000 years old. In June 2002, the Tree Council designated the Major Oak one of fifty Great British Trees in recognition of its place in the national heritage.

The Major Oak is an English or pedunculate oak (Quercus robur). The oak's great hollow interior is caused by fungi, the most invasive of which is called the "poor man's Beefsteak" (Fistulina hepatica) whose fruiting bodies are sometimes seen growing on the bark of the tree during the Autumn.

The tree did not become well known until about 200 years ago when in 1790 the tree was described by a Major Hayman Rooke FSA, who was a local historian from the Mansfield area. In the same year, he published a book entitled "Remarkable Oaks in the park of Welbeck in the county of Nottingham", it was soon after this that the tree was named after him. Its name means "The Major's Oak" and not the largest oak.

In Victorian times, the Major Oak became a popular visiting place, although it was always well known by local people. People visited the tree, coming to Edwinstowe by train and then by carriage to see the tree. This tree still continues to draw the crowds with over 600,000 people from all over the world coming to visit this venerable giant each year.

Since the Victorian era its massive limbs have been partially supported by an elaborate system of scaffolding.

The Major Oak is located a 10-15 minute walk through the woods from Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre near the village of Edwinstowe. There is a surfaced path to the Major Oak and it is signed from the Visitor Centre.

There is a car park (parking charge at peak times) near the Visitor Centre.

Genus/Species: English Oak (Quercus robur) Height: 53 Girth: 33 Method of obtaining height: Reliable source Method of obtaining girth: Reliable source Location type: Other public property Age: 800 Historical significance: It is probable that this ancient tree was named after a local historian. The Major Oak's first recorded name was the Cockpen tree, this was with reference to its earlier use as a cockerel pen during the mid 18th century. The poor unfortunate game birds were stacked inside the tree in wicker baskets or just tied in hessian sacking, before they were released and mercilessly thrown together for this barbaric sport. The tree did not become well known until about 200 years ago when in 1790 the tree was described by a Major Hayman Rooke FSA, who was a local historian from the Mansfield area. In the same year, he published a book entitled "Remarkable Oaks in the park of Welbeck in the county of Nottingham", it was soon after this that the tree was named after him. Its name means "The Major's Oak" and not the largest oak. However, the "ancient oak" mentioned in Hayman Rooke's 1790 book "Remarkable Oaks" as "Plate IX" may not be the Major Oak as it is known today. The branches look different and the opening points in a different direction (today's opening looks South). Compare 150 other photos of the big tree taken since 1880 in the Major Oak Gallery. One idea is that the engraving has been reversed somehow. Throughout the last century, it was also known as the Queen or Queen's Oak - there is no known connection with any Royal figure - this name probably just described its large size and its status as Lady of the Forest, because it was such a majestic tree. Website reference: [Web Link] Parking coordinates: N 53° 12.076 W 001° 03.799 Walk time: 15 Planter: Not listed Photograpy coordinates: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
A closeup picture of your GPS receiver in your hand, with the tree in the background, is required. If the tree is on private property, this closeup photograph with the tree in the background may be taken from the nearest public vantage point without actually going to the tree.
The required photograph does not need to show the entire tree, but the individual tree must be recognizable.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/17/2021 fm1906 visited it 08/05/2018 Alancache visited it 07/28/2014 dave-harris visited it 04/17/2013 angellica visited it 11/05/2012 Happy Humphrey visited it 08/10/2009 Lyngerup.dk visited it 08/08/2007 Maciiik visited it

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