The 'Bendy Tree,' a wych elm located in Newcastle, County Down, has been officially crowned the winner of the UK Tree of the Year competition. The tree, estimated to be 150 years old, gained its name and distinctive appearance due to its near-horizontal trunk, which was shaped over decades by persistent, strong winds blowing off the Irish Sea.

Beyond its unusual physical structure, the tree was selected for the competition’s specific theme: 'against the odds.' This theme highlights the tree's resilience, as it has successfully survived Dutch elm disease. This fungal infection has been devastating to the species, resulting in the loss of millions of elm trees across the United Kingdom. Originally planted in the mid-19th century, the tree was part of a larger row of wych elms in the town, yet it remains one of the few to endure the environmental and biological challenges that have decimated its counterparts.