A podcast has recently featured an interview with a 1,000-year-old tree — giving the world the chance to hear it’s voice for the first time ever.
In a world first, Miner2Major’s Voices from Sherwood Forest podcast has revealed the sounds of the ancient Major Oak tree, Robin Hood’s famous hideout.
Miner2Major’s Engagement Officer Helen Mitchem secured an exclusive ‘interview’ with the legendary tree, during which the sounds of the Major Oak were recorded by Alex Metcalf as part of his Tree Listening Project.
The project has previously featured on BBC One’s CountryFile, and is a travelling, education tool used to facilitate a deeper understanding of how trees work and to engage people with nature.
Alex uses highly sensitive microphones to detect the sound of ‘popping’ when the ascending water mixes with air in the xylem — the tissue which transports water from the roots to the leaves. On the podcast, the sound audiences can hear is the noise of this movement happening inside the tree.
Helen said: “It was a really incredible moment to be the first person to hear the sounds of the Major Oak. The tree sounds very active and strong and I thought it would be a great idea to include these noises as part of my series of podcasts, who else can say they’ve interviewed (and had a reply from) the Major Oak!”
Rob James, RSPB Communications Officer for Sherwood Forest, also joined the podcast on the behalf of the organisation that manages Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve where the ancient tree resides.
He said: “Being able to capture the sound of this incredible tree is wonderful. Those of us who work at Sherwood Forest feel privileged just to be able to marvel at it each day, but to hear otherwise inaudible sounds from within it was very humbling indeed, and a reminder that, even after a phenomenal 1,100 years, it is still a true living icon of nature.”
You can listen to the podcast, Voices from the RSPB and the Major Oak, on Spotify here.
Listen at 07:32 and 11:31 to hear the Major Oak.
The Minor2Major podcast has been produced by the Miner2Major landscape scheme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as a means of capturing voices and stories from the area’s communities and organisations.
Helen has interviewed a variety of people including ex-miners, youth workers, musicians and nature conservationists, who have been involved in this remarkable scheme which celebrates the important habitats, special species and rich heritage of Sherwood Forest.
