Game of Thrones: Dark Hedges face dark times - with 11 of the world famous trees facing the chop

The iconic avenue of beech trees between Armoy and Stranocum have become a global tourist attraction since featuring as a recurring scene in HBO's popular television series Game of Thrones.

A tree expert’s report commissioned by roads officials has concluded that some of the trees have become dangerously unstable.

However, because six of the trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders, (TPOs) consent from Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council for their removal was required.

Councillors were asked to consider “health and safety concerns in association with potentially dangerous and structurally compromised trees," the Coleraine Chronicle reported.

However they’ll also be told that overall, proposed works “should help secure the continued presence of the majority of the protected trees, with an indicated life span of over 10 years".

The council advised the News Letter that its Planning Committee voted today to allow one of the protected trees to be felled and to encourage further discussion on mitigation works to other trees.

DUP Councillor Mervyn Storey, a member of the Dark Hedges Preservation Trust, acknowledged the problems.

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

He said no single body was to blame for the situation.

He added: “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.”

However, Bob McCallion of the Save the Dark Hedges campaign group, claimed that the biggest threat to public safety is from dead branches falling on tourists – even in calm weather. This should be prevented by “dead-wooding” he said, however, this process stopped in 2016 and no further funding has been provided to continue it, he said on social media.

He also challenged Mr Storey’s suggestion that no one council or agency was to blame for the state of the Dark Hedges.

"Wrong – most of them are to blame” he added.

He has written many press articles on the issue since early this year asking for pertinent questions to be put to the relevant stakeholders he added.

A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said that an independent arboriculturist recommended felling 11 out of a total of 86 trees at the Dark Hedges.

Their report also reflects the level of work required to reduce the risk of further damage and extend the life of the trees.

“The Department recognises the value of all roadside trees and of these trees in particular and acknowledges the need for robust evidence to justify any intervention,” the spokesperson said.

"The Department has a legal and moral obligation to act when public safety is at risk and takes this duty very seriously – in this case the Department is continuing to liaise with the landowners and local stakeholders to determine the next course of action as a matter of urgency.”