Fears for Robin Hood oak after record summer

Shedding leaves...suffering Major Oak in Sherwood Forest

- By George Jones

AN ancient oak said to have sheltered Robin Hood is now under "severe stress" as the warmest summer on record triggers a false autumn.

The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest is thought to be 1,000 years old and has survived fires, winds and snowstorms.

But as summer ends the Nottinghamshire tree has been left without a single green leaf on its branches -- well ahead of normal shedding period.