The Major Oak at Sherwood Forest inspires artist Ai Weiwei

Many of us were moved by the news that the Major Oak, a tree thought to be 1,200 years old, had died. Among them was internationally renowned artist Ai Weiwei who, on hearing the news, felt compelled to head to Sherwood Forest and see the iconic tree for himself.

His visit, in June this year, resulted in Ai Weiwei’s first drawing in more than 50 years. His sketch of the Major Oak, A Tree, is now available as a time-limited edition (see below for details). The sketch also forms the basis of a new animation.

We are delighted that this ancient tree continues to inspire visitors. Here at the RSPB, we recognise that although the Major Oak is no longer a living tree, it continues to support wildlife, remains a powerful presence in the landscape, and is an enduring part of our cultural heritage.

We expect the Major Oak to remain standing for many years, providing valuable decaying wood habitat for a variety of wildlife, and the tree also lives on through saplings that have been planted around the world.

Ai Weiwei shared the inspiration behind his work with us:

“I conceived this tree during the installation period for my exhibition in Manchester. It came at a very particular moment in my life. I am sixty-nine years old, almost seventy, and both my surroundings and I have undergone significant changes. When I read the news that this 1,200-year-old tree had died, I suddenly felt compelled to go there and make a sketch.

“The tree has an extraordinary presence. It is immense, covering a vast area, and one can still imagine how lush and vibrant it once was when its leaves and branches were full of life, although its trunk now bears only dry branches.

“I do not think there is any difference between the death of a tree and the death of any other living being. They all complete the same cycle of life. Over the course of 1,200 years, this tree endured wind, rain, dew, cold before finally relinquishing the possibility of continuing to live.

“I was reminded of the optimistic words of a painter, who said that an optimist always believes another spring will come. Yet for this tree, there will be no further spring. It is simply tired. It leaves the land where it has lived for so long.”

Sherwood Forest is a national nature reserve managed by the RSPB. It is the legendary home of Robin Hood, and boasts one of the largest concentrations of ancient and veteran oaks in Western Europe.

The woodland habitats support hundreds of species, including rare Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Tree Pipits and bright red cardinal beetles that feed on the bark of fallen trees. Here, visitors can walk among ancient oaks, marvel at the Major Oak, and learn more about the forest and its many inhabitants – flora, fauna and fabled!

As well as celebrating an iconic tree, Ai Weiwei’s work highlights the power of nature to inspire us.

Other artists inspired by RSPB nature reserves include Hannah Imlach who created Skein Dial at RSPB Loch Lomond in 2023, and Andy Goldsworthy who visited RSPB Loch of Kinnordy prior to a major installation in Edinburgh in 2025.

Across our UK-wide network of 170+ nature reserves, we recognise the need to protect these special places for nature to support wildlife and to provide places of inspiration and wellbeing for people.

Could you find your inspiration on an RSPB nature reserve near you?

Published by CIRCA, A Tree (2026) is a time-limited release, available exclusively from 9 July to 9 September. Produced as a one-colour silkscreen with a hand-embossed border, the individually hand-signed editions are priced at £450 and available from CIRCA: Ai Weiwei, A Tree | CIRCA

A number will be donated to the RSPB to fund our conservation work after the time release has ended.