It has stood proudly in Sherwood Forest for more than 1,000 years and, legend has it, sheltered Robin Hood and his band of merry men.

But experts believe the Major Oak has died after its first spring without producing any leaves.

The RSPB, which manages the woods in Nottinghamshire where the tree stands, said it had been in decline for some years.

The soil around it has become compacted from the footfall of millions of visitors, making it harder for rain to penetrate and for the root system to take up nutrients. 

Testing showed the soil to be as solid as concrete in some spots. This, along with a run of heatwaves and droughts, has compounded the challenges it would naturally face at its age.

Hollie Drake of RSPB Sherwood Forest, said the tree's failure to produce leaves this year was 'heartbreaking for everyone'. 

But she said: 'We know the Major Oak will have a lasting legacy, first and foremost because it is so inextricably linked to Robin Hood. 

'But beyond its cultural heritage, the Major Oak will continue to provide important habitat for wildlife, reminding us why these remarkable trees are so important.'

Ed Pyne at the Woodland Trust called for stronger legal protections for ancient woods and said the tree's decline was a warning – 'the way we treat ancient trees today will shape whether they survive for future generations'.

The Major Oak earned its name after it was mentioned in a book by Major Hayman Rooke in 1790.

Acorns and cuttings have been grown from it, and saplings planted around the world.