YOU have less than a week left to try and help a living Newcastle landmark to secure a top title.
A spot to seek shade and an eye-catching part of the town’s seafront, Newcastle’s gravity-defying ‘bendy tree’ is in the running for this year’s Tree of the Year title.
The native wych elm is the sole survivor of a row of trees which were planted in the mid-19th century.
One of the town’s frequently photographed locations, and, on occasion a child’s climbing frame, this iconic tree is one of 10 across the UK to have been shortlisted for this year’s accolade, in a competition staged by The Woodland Trust.
The charity said its annual competition aims to celebrate and raise awareness of rare, ancient or at-risk trees across the UK. Locals and visitors are being urged to cast their vote for the ‘bendy tree’ before 5pm next Tuesday (29 September).
This can be done simply and quickly via the www.woodlandtrust.org.uk website.
Of the 10 shortlisted trees, a panel of experts selected eight trees of differing ages and species, while the public chose two as wildcard entries.
The winner will be announced in early October – before progressing to represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year finals.
Highlighting the remarkable nature of the Newcastle tree, and in revealing the contenders in July, the Woodland Trust said this seaside tree has “survived extreme weather, development and disease”.
A spokesperson continued: “This gravity-defying tree is a much-loved icon on the Central Promenade and a real fighter.
“Growing almost horizontally, its incredible shape is testament to the harsh coastal conditions it has withstood for more than a century.”
