Game of Thrones landmark the Dark Hedges face the chop after being dubbed ‘unstable’

25 October 2023, 19:25 | Updated: 25 October 2023, 19:41

By Jasmine Moody

Dangerously unstable Northern Irish beech trees from the Dark Hedges, which appear in Game of Thrones, may face the axe, marking the "beginning of the end", according to a DUP councillor.

Cllr Mervyn Storey spoke out after a report commissioned by the Department of Infrastructure called for the felling of 11 dangerously unstable trees from the famous landmark.

The trees may risk "killing someone", according to the report and many have already been brought down by stormy winds in recent years.

Experts at Tree Safety surveyed 80 of the 86 trees, finding that 30 were in fair condition but the rest were in a poor state and one was reported dead.

The investigation called for 11 trees to be removed, but six have tree protection orders and council consent is required, according to the Coleraine Chronicle.

Mr Storey, who is a member of the Dark Hedges Preservation Trust, acknowledged the report’s findings but added that an investigation by the Trust suggested only four or five trees needed to be felled.

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He said: "There is a discussion ongoing between the findings of the two reports, and we will find a conclusion as to the number of trees which will need to come down.

"It’s [about] trying to keep something alive that has been in the intensive care unit for a good number of years.

"These trees are not going to last forever, and we’ve already lost a considerable amount as a result of weather and natural circumstances."

He added that he agreed with the findings but remained positive.

Mr Storey said: "Despite the multiple restrictions on the road, cars still continue to travel up it.

"But I think we need an agreed position on the process. It’s about reconciling both the reports and [securing] a meeting with minds between two professional groups", he added.

"I and no one else wants to see the beginning of the end of what is known as the Dark Hedges.

“There was no money put in to do something like an aggressive tree planting scheme, but my feeling it’s far too late for that.”

Mr Storey concluded: "We’ve had every first minister, including Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster, leaders from all over the world, people involved in all aspects of government come see the hedges and say, ‘This is great and we need to protect them’, and then there’s nothing, no money.

"It’s the harsh, hard reality, but this has been a long saga."

Bob McCallion, from the Save the Dark Hedges campaign group, acknowledged both reports but called for more support to help protect the tourist hot spot.

However, he accused the authorities of failing to take responsibility for the area and claimed it had been abandoned.

Mr McCallion said: "Because of the amount of people who stand under these trees, there is no way the council can reject these findings

"I don’t like using the word 'felled'. These trees are going to be condemned. But I’m not even sure they’ll do this because all these people want is the tourism.

"People are wringing their hands. If they don’t do something over these trees, someone is going to be killed because of the state they are in", he concluded.

The Dark Hedges are known for their appearance, as The Kingsroad, in the famous TV series, Game of Thrones.

It is believed that they were planted around 1775 and that there were originally 150 at the time

Beech trees are considered to be ancient when they are 225 years old.