Bendy Elm Named UK Tree of the Year

Published: 08 October 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

A remarkable 150-year-old elm tree in Northern Ireland has been named the UK Tree of the Year after surviving disease, development and decades of powerful coastal winds that have forced its trunk to grow almost horizontally.

Known locally as the Bendy Tree, the wych elm stands in Newcastle, County Down, where its unusual shape has made it a familiar feature for generations of residents and visitors. Its victory in this year’s competition has celebrated not only its extraordinary appearance but also its resilience in the face of conditions that have destroyed or removed most of the trees that once stood alongside it.

The tree was originally planted during the 19th century as part of a row of wych elms along Newcastle’s promenade. The trees were intended to provide protection from strong winds blowing inland from the Irish Sea and to help shelter the town’s main street.

Over the decades, redevelopment changed the landscape. Many of the original trees were removed, leaving the Bendy Tree as the last surviving member of the row.

Its survival is particularly notable because wych elms across Britain were devastated by Dutch elm disease. The fungal disease has destroyed millions of elm trees across the UK, dramatically reducing a species that was once a familiar part of the British landscape.

Against that background, the Newcastle tree has become an unusual survivor. Its distinctive sideways growth is another reminder of how trees can adapt to difficult environments rather than simply growing in the conventional upward direction.

The annual Tree of the Year competition is organised by the Woodland Trust, which selected the Newcastle elm under a theme celebrating trees that have survived extraordinary challenges.

May Chemais, the Woodland Trust’s ancient tree inventory lead, described the tree as astonishing and unusual, saying its appearance reflects the hardships it has endured.

She also suggested that the tree’s story may resonate with people because its unusual shape represents the effects of change and adversity. In that sense, the Bendy Tree has become more than an unusual natural landmark. It has acquired a symbolic quality for people who see resilience in its ability to continue growing despite forces that have shaped its development.

John Martin, director of Woodland Trust Northern Ireland, has a personal connection to Newcastle and remembers seeing the tree during childhood visits to the town.

He recalled noticing it almost accidentally and being surprised by its unusual direction of growth. Trees are normally expected to grow upwards, he said, making the sight of one growing sideways particularly striking.

That distinctive shape has also given the tree a practical role in the community. A bench beneath its branches provides shade for residents and visitors, turning the tree into a place where people can pause and rest.

For the Woodland Trust, that human connection is an important part of what makes mature trees valuable. Older trees can provide shade and contribute to wellbeing while also becoming repositories of local memories, traditions and identity.

The Bendy Tree’s story also illustrates how the effects of nature can shape individual trees over long periods. The persistent winds coming from the Irish Sea have influenced its growth, creating the almost horizontal trunk that has become its defining feature.

Rather than preventing the tree from thriving, the difficult conditions have helped create a landmark that is immediately recognisable.

Its victory came against a strong field of unusual and historically significant trees from across the UK. Among the finalists was the Crowhurst Yew in Surrey, whose trunk contains an extraordinary reminder of local history.

Villagers hollowed out part of the Crowhurst Yew’s trunk in 1820 to create a meeting room for the parish. The roof of the room collapsed during a storm in 1845, but the ancient tree survived. A wooden door associated with the former room remains in the trunk.

Another shortlisted tree was the Culmstock Yew in Devon. Unlike the Bendy Tree, whose shape has been created by coastal winds, the Culmstock Yew occupies an extraordinary location high above the ground, growing from the top of a church tower around 20 metres above the surrounding area.

Its age and unusual position have made it another example of the remarkable ways trees can survive in unexpected environments.

Last year’s Tree of the Year was a large ash tree in Glasgow, which stands alongside Argyle Street and provides shade to nearby homes on one of the city’s busy roads.

The annual competition draws attention to trees that have become important parts of their communities, whether because of their age, unusual appearance, cultural significance or ability to survive difficult conditions.

The recognition of the Newcastle elm comes at a time when the UK’s trees are facing a range of pressures. Disease, development, extreme weather and changes to natural habitats can all threaten mature trees, making surviving specimens increasingly valuable.

For communities, however, the importance of old trees extends beyond environmental considerations. Trees can become landmarks used to navigate familiar places, gathering points for neighbours and physical reminders of previous generations.

The Bendy Tree has witnessed major changes in Newcastle since it was planted around 150 years ago. The promenade and surrounding town have evolved, many of its companion trees have disappeared, and the effects of Dutch elm disease have transformed the wider elm population.

Yet the tree has continued to grow, adapting to the coastal environment and retaining its place in the community.

Its story is also a reminder that resilience in nature does not necessarily mean remaining unchanged. The Bendy Tree survived precisely by responding to the forces around it. Its sideways trunk, which might initially appear damaged or abnormal, has become the feature that makes it special.

The Woodland Trust has used the competition to highlight the broader benefits of mature trees and their role in connecting people with nature. The organisation has also launched a separate competition aimed at young people aged 16 to 25, inviting them to propose innovative projects that could benefit woods, trees and communities.

Three winners of that initiative will receive funding of £5,000 along with up to a year of expert mentoring to help develop their ideas.

Meanwhile, in Newcastle, the Bendy Tree’s recognition gives a much older example of nature’s ability to inspire people.

For generations, residents have watched the wych elm withstand the strong winds of the Irish Sea. Its unusual form has become part of the character of the town, while its branches continue to provide shelter for people sitting beneath them.

The tree’s national recognition therefore celebrates more than its appearance. It honours survival, adaptation and the enduring relationship between trees and the communities that grow around them.

After a century and a half of change, the Bendy Tree remains standing. Its sideways growth, once simply a consequence of harsh coastal conditions, has become a symbol of the ability of nature to endure and adapt against the odds.