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The wych elm, nicknamed the "Bendy Tree," located in Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland, has won the Woodland Trust’s annual Tree of the Year contest. The tree received 30% of the public votes cast between July and September from a shortlist of ten trees that had survived various adversities. This wych elm, planted around the mid-19th century along with other elms on the town's promenade but now standing alone after many were cut down in redevelopments, has endured severe coastal weather conditions and Dutch elm disease for over 150 years. As the winner, it will represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year finals next year.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Bendy Tree, a wych elm located in Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland, has been named the winner of the Woodland Trust's annual Tree of the Year competition. The tree, which is more than 150 years old, survived severe coastal winds that caused its trunk to grow nearly horizontal and Dutch elm disease that devastated most of the UK’s 30 million elms in the mid-20th century. Over tens of thousands of people voted for their favorite tree from a shortlist of 10 trees during a public poll from July to September, with the Bendy Tree receiving 30% of the votes. The competition highlighted trees that have endured significant adversity, making the Bendy Tree's survival particularly notable. As the first ever winner from Northern Ireland, it will now represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year finals next year.
Written for “Bendy Elm Wins Tree Of Year Contest” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
The wych elm in County Down is the first ever tree in Northern Ireland to be crowned the winner of the Woodland Trust’s annual competition.
asserted
elm → crown → competition
Tens of thousands of people voted for their favourite tree in a public poll that ran from July to September, choosing from a shortlist of 10 trees.
asserted
that → vote → trees
Each one had survived some kind of adversity in line with this year’s theme: “Against all odds”.
asserted
one → survive → odds
A much-loved feature of Newcastle’s seaside promenade, the Bendy Tree has weathered extreme coastal gusts – apparent from its horizontal trunk – for more than 150 years.
asserted
Tree → love → years
The tree was planted as part of a row of wych elms along the town’s original promenade around the mid-19th century but is now the last one standing after many were felled during redevelopments in the 1980s.
asserted
many → plant → 1980s
It has also survived Dutch elm disease – a fungus that destroyed most of the UK’s 30 million elms during its second outbreak across the country after it was accidentally imported from North America in the 1960s.
asserted
it → survive → 1960s
The tree, whose canopy casts shade for locals who can sit on the town centre bench underneath its branches, received 30% of public votes, the Woodland Trust said.
asserted
Trust → cast → votes
It triumphed over contenders that included the Crowhurst Yew in Surrey, which had survived a direct hit from a Civil War cannonball.
asserted
which → triumph → cannonball
A different plucky 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.
asserted
yew → shortlist → years
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.
asserted
which → include → visitors
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.
asserted
Birch → perch → industry
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.
asserted
that → live → age
As the winner, the Bendy Tree will represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year finals next year.
asserted
Tree → represent → finals
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.
uncertain
it → say → what
“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.
asserted
Tree → shape → 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.”
asserted
trees → provide → place
She encouraged members of the public who are inspired to protect ancient and veteran trees in their area to add them to the Woodland Trust’s ancient tree inventory or to donate to the organisation.
asserted
who → encourage → organisation
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.
asserted
that → support → story
“Our players are supporting a competition that celebrates the special connection people have with the nature and heritage on their doorstep.”
asserted
people → support → doorstep
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