Extreme heat and dry weather across much of Europe this summer are causing significant stress to England’s ancient oak trees, according to conservation organizations and experts. The Woodland Trust reports that trees are unable to adapt quickly enough to changing climatic conditions, with many entering an early autumn phase where they shed leaves prematurely as a stress response.
Ancient and veteran trees are being disproportionately affected by the extreme conditions. Ed Pyne, a senior conservation adviser at the Woodland Trust, explained that trees function as large conduits transporting water, minerals and nutrients from soil through roots and trunks to branches and leaves. When water loss becomes excessive, this transportation process halts, leading to wilting and early leaf loss. The phenomenon is exemplified by the death of the Major oak in June, described as one of Europe’s oldest and largest ancient trees, which experts attribute primarily to the extreme weather conditions.
Oak trees are classified as chronologically ancient from 400 years old onwards. England contains approximately 3,300 oak trees exceeding 6 metres in circumference, with about 114 surpassing 9 metres—more than all other European nations combined. Seven ancient oaks in England and Wales have been identified as being in critical condition. Sherwood Forest experienced the loss of eight ancient oak trees during 2024 and 2025. Pyne’s analysis suggests that half of all ancient oaks could be lost within the next 60 years, though he considers this figure likely understated given accelerating climate change.
The impact extends beyond oak species. Beech trees are also struggling significantly, while even drought-tolerant species such as pine trees are dying across Europe. Tree management companies report an increasing volume of calls regarding limb failure during hot, dry periods, as trees’ vascular systems struggle to transport adequate moisture, causing branches to become brittle. Alexander Held of the European Forest Institute noted that the primary concern is not adaptation itself but the speed at which changes are occurring. Forests and ecosystems lack the capacity to adjust rapidly enough to current climatic shifts, raising concerns about substantial disruption to ecological systems.
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