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

The Dark Hedges made appearances in TV series Game of Thrones.
The Dark Hedges made appearances in TV series Game of Thrones. Picture: Alamy
Jasmine Moody

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.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

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.

Read more: Forest floor 'ripples like the sea' as trees buffeted by strong winds in Storm Babet

Read more: Sycamore Gap Tree being stored in 'secret location' to protect it from ‘souvenir hunters’ looking for keepsakes

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."

The trees may risk "killing someone", according to the report.
The trees may risk "killing someone", according to the report. Picture: Alamy

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.

It is believed the Dark Hedge's trees were planted around 1775.
It is believed the Dark Hedge's trees were planted around 1775. Picture: Alamy

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.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Proud Boys claim they will go to voting places as Trump repeats election fraud lies.

Proud Boys making plans to mobilise as Trump repeats election fraud lies

File photo of a real NHS dentist

Desperate Brits fall for scam 'fake NHS dentists' amid years-long waits for appointments

The Kremlin is suspected of plotting the attack

'Parcel bombs' that blew up in warehouse were 'rehearsal' for Russian explosion attack on flight to US

Keir Starmer is not set to ban smoking in pub gardens, contrary to earlier reports

Cigarettes will not be banned in pub gardens under new Labour plan create 'smoke-free generation'

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team

Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the tuition fee rise

University tuition fees to rise for first time in eight years, as Tories accuse Labour of 'declaring war on students'

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner