Tree with a Bent Trunk in Northern Ireland Named 'Tree of the Year' in the UK
A 150-year-old elm in Newcastle has withstood disease and storm winds to become a symbol of resilience, reports the Woodland Trust.
A tree nicknamed 'Bendy Tree' has won the annual 'Tree of the Year' competition in the UK. Its trunk is bent almost horizontally due to strong sea winds from the Irish Sea.
The approximately 150-year-old elm is the only survivor from a row of trees planted in the mid-19th century along Newcastle’s waterfront to shield the streets from the wind. The others were cut down during the city’s redevelopments.
According to Woodland Trust representative May Chemes, the tree has survived Dutch elm disease, which destroyed most elms in the country, and has become a symbol of resilience. Its unusual shape provides shade for residents and tourists resting on a bench beneath its branches.
