Meet Britain's 'Bendy Tree': Remarkable elm that survived storms, disease and developers is crowned Tree of the Year

Published: 00:01 BST, 8 October 2026 | Updated: 00:01 BST, 8 October 2026

Bent almost double by 150 years of punishment from sea winds, this extraordinary tree looks as though it has been flattened by an invisible force.

Yet the 'Bendy Tree' has proved tougher than it looks, surviving disease, storms and redevelopment to become the UK's new Tree of the Year.

The distinctive wych elm, which stands on the seafront promenade in Newcastle, County Down, beat nine other contenders to claim the title in the Woodland Trust's annual competition.

It is the first tree in Northern Ireland ever to win the contest, which this year had the theme ‘Against All Odds’.

Tens of thousands of people cast their votes between July and September, choosing their favourite from a shortlist of trees that had all survived extraordinary challenges.

May Chemais, ancient tree inventory lead for the Woodland Trust, said: ‘When you look at this astonishing and bizarre tree, there’s no doubt about what it has endured.

‘We’ve all been through changes and hardships that have shaped who we are: I think that’s why the Bendy Tree has struck a chord with people.

‘Older trees like this one are providing our communities with so much – from shade, wellbeing and health benefits, to stories, culture and pride of place.’

The 'Bendy Tree' in Newcastle, County Down, has been bent almost double by strong sea winds

It has survived a disease that has devastated Britain's elm population as well as storms and redevelopment

The tree was first planted as part of a row of wych elms along the town’s original promenade around the mid-19th century.

However, it is now the last one standing after many were felled during redevelopments in the 1980s.

It has also survived Dutch elm disease – a fungus that destroyed most of the UK’s 30 million elms during an outbreak after it was accidentally imported from North America in the 1960s.

The tree, whose canopy casts shade for locals who can sit on the town centre bench underneath its branches, received 30 per cent of public votes, the Woodland Trust said.

It triumphed over contenders that included the Crowhurst Yew in East Sussex, which has survived a direct hit from a Civil War cannonball.

A different yew – Culmstock Yew in Devon – was shortlisted because of its location after growing at the top of the church tower overlooking Culmstock Village for some 200 years.

One of the runners up was the Crowhurst Yew in East Sussex, which survived a direct hit from a Civil War cannonball

Others included the 150-year-old Balloch Castle ash, standing on the lawn of the semi-derelict castle by Loch Lomond, which has experienced a lightning strike, multiple storms, ash dieback, footfall from millions of visitors, and an Oasis concert.

The Bollihope Burn Birch in County Durham is perched precariously off a cliff in an area once dominated by industry, quarries, lime kilns, mines and a goods railway.

And the ‘Preston Twin’ in Brighton – likely the world’s oldest English elm – has lived four centuries despite the threat of Dutch elm disease, which killed another specimen of the same age that stood nearby.

As the winner, the Bendy Tree will represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year finals next year.

Laura Chow, head of charities at Postcode Lottery, which supported the competition, said: ‘Tree of the Year shines a light on the remarkable trees that stand at the heart of our communities, each with a story that deserves to be told.

‘Our players are supporting a competition that celebrates the special connection people have with the nature and heritage on their doorstep.’