“Robin Hood” Tree in Sherwood Forest has Died
The 1,200-year-old Major Oak in Great Britain’s Sherwood Forest is believed to have died after it failed to sprout leaves this spring, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Centuries of visitors had compacted the soil around the tree, making it difficult for rain to reach its roots. The tree is said to have sheltered Robin Hood, the legendary 13th-century bandit. More about the tree is here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/robin-hood-major-oak-tree-sherwood-forest-dies/
Maryland Governor Issues Executive Order to Prioritize In-State Wood Use
In June, Governor Wes Moore issued an executive order (EO) directing Maryland agencies to prioritize the use of in-State wood in public projects whenever wood is an appropriate and cost competitive building material. The executive order recognizes that Maryland’s forest products industry generates an estimated $4 billion in annual total economic impact and supports 13,000 – 18,000 jobs, and that timber growth in the state currently exceeds timber harvests. The order seeks to assist the industry which faces global market pressures from a variety of factors while continuing sustainable management. Read the EO at https://governor.maryland.gov/media/920
USFS Launches New Recreation App for National Forest Visitors
The United States Forest Service (USFS) has launched the “National Forests and Grasslands” mobile app to provide recreation information, trip-planning resources, and safety tools for visitors to national forests and grasslands in the United States. The new app offers access to recreation site information, safety alerts, closures, amenity details, and downloadable maps for use offline. Additional features allow users to search for recreation opportunities, identify preferred activities, and view environmental conditions through optional map layers that include fire information and National Weather Service alerts.
The app is available for download on the Apple store for iOS at
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/national-forests-grasslands/id6746565710
and Google Play for Android at
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.usda.fs.nfg&hl=en_US
Follow Up on Baltimore City Deer Management Program
The Winter 2026 Branching Out News and Notes featured a preview of Baltimore City’s planned deer management program. In July, the city’s Recreation & Parks reported 227 deer were harvested from Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, Herring Run Park, and Druid Hill Park. One of the goals of the effort was to improve the woodland health of the selected areas. Following the program, city wildlife conservationist Shane Boehne reported to WBAL-TV News that citizens reported seeing “plants they haven’t seen in decades.”
Find WBAL’s coverage at this link:
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-deer-culling-program-success/71811072
Read the city’s 2026 Deer Management Final Report here:
Branching Out, Vol. 34, no. 3 (Summer 2026)
Branching Out is the free, quarterly newsletter of the Woodland Stewardship Education program. For more than 30 years, Branching Out has kept Maryland woodland owners and managers informed about ways to develop and enhance their natural areas, how to identify and control invasive plants and insects, and about news and regional online and in-person events.