Northern Ireland Wych Elm Wins UK Tree of the Year

A 150-year-old wych elm in Newcastle, County Down, has won the UK Tree of the Year 2026 award, BBC News and RTE reported. Known as the Bendy Tree, it stands on the seaside promenade in Newcastle and is the first tree in Northern Ireland to win the national competition. [1][2][7]

The Woodland Trust organised the contest around the theme Against All Odds, as BBC News and RTE both reported. A public vote took place from July to September across a shortlist of 10 trees that had survived natural adversity, such as extreme coastal weather. [1][2]

BBC News reported that the Bendy Tree secured over 30 percent of the national public vote. John Martin, the Northern Ireland director for the Woodland Trust, described the tree as whimsical and expressed his support for its victory. [1]

The Woodland Trust, a national conservation charity, has run the annual competition in autumn since 2014. A panel of experts shortlists nominated trees before a public vote decides the winner, which represents the nation in the European Tree of the Year contest. [1][2][8]