UK TREE OF THE YEAR 2026

The Bendy Tree, a wych elm on Newcastle's sea front, County Down.

The winner of UK Tree of the Year 2026 is the Bendy Tree, a wych elm on Newcastle’s sea front in County Down, Northern Ireland.

This year’s national contest celebrated trees that have gone the extra mile, surviving an array of challenges and still standing strong against the odds. These extraordinary trees are icons in their communities, clinging on despite extreme growing conditions, disease, lightning strikes and even cannonball fire! Each one is remarkable to look at and has an even more remarkable story behind it.

Read the full story here: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/tree-of-the-year/