Appeal to honour Major Oak by growing 20,000 trees from Sherwood Forest seeds
A memorial appeal to honour the legacy of the Major Oak by growing the next 20,000 native trees from locally collected seed has been launched.
The Sherwood Forest Trust, a charity dedicated to protecting, restoring, and celebrating the landscape, wildlife, and heritage of the legendary Sherwood Forest launched the appeal in a bid to help secure the forest’s future.
The Crowdfunder appeal allowing residents to sponsor acorns has already raise £4,112 towards the project but residents can still donate to the cause.
A spokesman for The Sherwood Forest Trust said: “The death of the Major Oak marks the end of an extraordinary living chapter in Sherwood’s history. For over 1000 years, it witnessed the changing landscape of the forest, played a huge role in its ecosystem and been immortalised over the centuries in myth and legend.
“The Sherwood Forest Trust believes one of the best way to honour the memory of this beloved tree is to turn our shared sadness into collective action by focusing on creating the next generation of trees. That’s why we're launching a memorial appeal to honour this iconic tree by growing the next 20,000 native trees of Sherwood from locally collected seed, including oaks from this precious landscape. By sponsoring acorns, supporters can help create future living monuments that carry the story of the Major Oak forward.
Supporters can donate £2 to sponsor one acorn toward the next 20,000 trees, £20 sponsors 10 acorns, £100 sponsors 50 acorns and a small future grove.
Experts confirmed The Major Oak, made famous due to its links to the legend of Robin Hood, had died in June after failing to produce any leaves for the first time.
The spokesman added: “A team of volunteers and led by our Community Tree Nursery Officer we will gather fallen native seed on our seed collecting walks from selected sites across Sherwood Forest. At our tree nursery just three miles from the site of the Major Oak, we’ll carefully grow and nurture the seed into young saplings before planting them out across Nottinghamshire.
"Your donation will go directly towards the running costs of the tree nursery - from compost to irrigation and building new raised beds - and will help our dream of 20,000 trees take root.”