Bend a 2D sprite using physics.

Is there any way to bend a sprite using physics? kind of like a diving board.

In my game I am trying to get a tree to fall and then once it has fallen to bend slightly under its own weight. I would also like the individual branches of the tree to bend under the weight of the tree.

any ideas?

Yes. It is the same sort of thing as in 3D (bending a 3D object). You need to add bones, it’s called skeletal animation.

There are a few products out there, you could use Spine, or Smooth Moves.