England’s ancient oak trees dying in extreme hot and dry weather

The Major oak with supporting poles in Sherwood Forest: ‘One of the main reasons that tree died is because of these extreme weather conditions.’ Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian

England’s ancient oak trees are dying in the summer’s extreme heat and dry weather, according to the Woodland Trust, with trees and ecosystems unable to adapt fast enough to the changing climate.

The heatwaves across much of Europe this summer have had a notable impact on crop growth and plant health. To cope with the extreme conditions, many trees are undergoing “early autumn”, wilting and losing their leaves early.