The Major Oak, one of Europe's oldest and largest trees, has died after 1,000 years in Sherwood Forest. It had an 11-metre girthgirth/ɡɜːrθ/L2（树的）围长；周长the distance around something, especially a tree trunk or a person's waist and a 28-metre canopycanopy/ˈkænəpi/L2（树的）冠层；树冠the upper layer of leaves and branches formed by a tree or group of trees. The tree failed to produce leaves this year because of several hot, dry summers. Its great age and size inspired many stories, including tales of Robin Hood. However, recent heatwaves and human activity probably hastened its end.
For many years, visitors walked around the tree and compacted the soil. In addition, people added props and concrete to support its branches. These actions may have weakened the tree. As a result, the tree's roots became starved and disconnected from the soil. The RSPB, which manages the site, tried to save it but could not. Robert Brackley, an outdoor educator, said: "The stories it has given us is the legacylegacy/ˈleɡəsi/L2遗产；留给后人的东西something important that is left for future generations, like a story or tradition."
Although the tree is dead, it will remain standing. On the other hand, its deadwooddeadwood/ˈdedwʊd/L2枯木；死树dead branches or trunks of trees that are no longer alive is valuable for other wildlife. A quarter of all forest species depend on deadwood at some point. Experts say we lose ancient trees like this every year. They call for special protection for these trees. The tree still has important habitathabitat/ˈhæbɪtæt/L2栖息地；生活环境the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other living thing value.
