Northern Ireland's bendy wych elm wins UK Tree of the Year

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 00:24 · Archive

A 150-year-old wych elm in County Down with a near-horizontal trunk has won the Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year competition.

A 150-year-old wych elm in Newcastle, County Down, has been crowned the UK's Tree of the Year by the Woodland Trust. The tree is the first from Northern Ireland to win the annual competition. Its distinctive appearance comes from a near-horizontal trunk that has grown sideways owing to strong seaside winds coming off the Irish Sea.

The Woodland Trust described the tree as 'astonishing and bizarre'. The tree's unusual form has made it a notable landmark in the area, with its resilience against environmental conditions contributing to its recognition in the competition.

How it is being reported

• Bendy elm still standing against all odds crowned UK tree of the yearHundred-and-fifty-year-old Wych elm in Newcastle, Co Down has grown sideways owing to strong winds The “astonishing and bizarre” Bendy Tree in Northern Ireland has been crowned the winner of this year’s tree of the year competition. The wych elm tree, located in Newcastle, County Down, owes its name to its near horizontal trunk, which has grown sideways owing to the strong seaside winds coming off the Irish Sea. Continue reading...The Guardian · 8 Oct, 00:01
• ‘Bendy’ wych elm in Northern Ireland wins Tree of the Year contestThe Co Down tree is the first from Northern Ireland to top the Woodland Trust’s annual poll.Evening Standard · 8 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Woodland Trust · Newcastle · County Down · Northern Ireland

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