Iconic 'Game of Thrones' Trees Face Axe for Public Safety: Council To Debate Future of Historic Dark Hedges

Councillors confront a tough choice affecting the fate of 11 of the historic trees that constitute the illustrious Dark Hedges, which tugs at the heartstrings of both local history aficionados and global 'Game of Thrones' fans alike.

An analysis from a tree expert, requested by road officials, raised the alarm.

The discovery, however, is hampered by complications, as six of these magnificent beech trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). As a result, any attempt to remove them must first go through the formal dance of council approval.

Cloonavins Planning Committee on Wednesday will set the backdrop for this critical conversation, as will methods for nurturing the surviving trees.

Councillors are walking a tightrope of public safety concerns owing to the teetering, unstable structures of these trees, while also acknowledging the larger plan, which promises a lifespan of more than a decade for the majority of the protected trees.

The Stuart family planted the Dark Hedges, a great arboreal tunnel, in approximately 1775, and its roots are linked with local history. They planned to create a stunning entryway to Gracehill House, never dreaming it would become a tourist attraction decades later, thanks to its appearance in the spectacular 'Game of Thrones' series.

Time, on the other hand, has not been kind to these sentinels. Once numbering around 150, only 86 remain, their age approaching a venerable 250 years. The committee adds sadly that this fact places them, somewhat poetically, in the twilight of their natural life cycle.

In 2017, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) made a critical decision, preventing the swarm of 'Game of Thrones' pilgrims' cars, which was an essential step in preserving these endangered giants.

Fast forward to October 2022, and the most recent inspection portrays a bleak picture: a stunning 60% of the trees are fighting for survival, their condition judged bad, while the remaining 38% are faring slightly better.

The unrelenting opponent of age, the planning committee report warns, offers only further decline, with the typical suspects of fungus infestations, rot, and storm assaults taking their inevitable toll.

Given the precarious potential of tree failure, the department throws a lifeline, recommending a series of interventions, including precise trimming, deadwood removal, ivy cutting, and crown management measures.

The committee report, on the other hand, ends the chapter on a hopeful note.

A new survey indicates that a reassuring 85% of the Dark Hedges could stand guard above their cherished Bregagh Road for another decade or more.