A 150-year-old Wych elm in Newcastle, County Down has been named the winner of this year’s Tree of the Year competition. Known as the Bendy Tree, this remarkable tree has grown sideways due to the strong seaside winds from the Irish Sea. Its unique horizontal trunk and resilience against Dutch elm disease—a fungus that has devastated most of the UK’s 30 million elms—make it a fitting representative of the competition’s theme of triumphing against the odds.
Background
The Bendy Tree was originally planted in the mid-19th century as part of a row of wych elms along the town’s promenade, intended to shield the main street from harsh sea winds. Unfortunately, many of its companions were removed during town redevelopment, leaving the Bendy Tree as the last one standing.
Community Impact
May Chemais, the ancient tree inventory lead for the Woodland Trust, which organizes the annual competition, remarked on the tree's significance:
“"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."
