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Robin Hood's Forest Is in Trouble
Robin Hood might have a hard time hiding out in the Sherwood Forest of today. England's famed Sherwood Forest is in danger of dying out after centuries of age and logging have diminished its ancient oak trees. The forest is beloved for its connection to Robin Hood, the legendary 13th century bandit. The forest once covered about 100,000 acres, a big chunk of present-day Nottinghamshire County. Today its core is about 450 acres, with patches spread out through the rest of the county.
The forest is beloved for its connection to Robin Hood, the legendary 13th century bandit who supposedly hid there from his nemesis, the Sheriff of Nottingham, in between stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.
One of Sherwood's oldest and most celebrated trees is Major Oak near Edwinstowe, the town where legend has Robin marrying Maid Marion. Historians believe it and other Sherwood oaks could have been saplings back in Robin's time. Experts say urgent action is needed to regenerate the forest and save the rare and endangered ancient oaks at its heart. Park rangers say the collection of ancient oaks is one of the greatest in Europe. But they see an increase in the trees' rate of decline.
Over the centuries, the forest was carved up for farms, mines, towns and logging. Sherwood timber built medieval ships and even part of London's St. Paul's Cathedral.
Currently 997 ancient oaks stand on the 450 acres. Each oak has its own management plan and some even have names, like Medusa, Stumpy and Twister. Rangers monitor them closely, watching for branches that look droopy or stressed, anxious to ensure that each tree lives as long as possible, said Paul Cook, a senior ranger.
Ancient oaks survive about 900 years, of which 300 years are spent growing and 300 dying.
Some 15 organizations have joined forces to draw up a rescue plan, hoping to win a $100 million grant through a TV competition in December. Hopes are high that Sherwood Forest will win the grant from BIG Lottery, a branch of the National Lottery that gives out money to good causes. The lottery committee has shortlisted Sherwood and four other projects to vie for the $100 million.
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