150-Year-Old Bent Tree Wins UK Tree of the Year

150-year-old wych elm in Newcastle, County Down, won UK Tree of the Year 2026. The Bendy Tree grew sideways in Irish Sea winds. It survived Dutch elm disease, a sickness that killed most of UK's 30 million elms. Planted to shelter the seaside walk, it is the last of its row. The Woodland Trust ran the 'against the odds' contest.