Northern Ireland
Six beech trees in “Game of Thrones” avenue are felled
The gnarled beech trees have developed their unique appearance over centuries. photo
© Liam Mcburney/Press Association/dpa
The Dark Hedges have become a place of pilgrimage for fans of the fantasy series “Game of Thrones”. But the gnarled and majestic trees on the avenue are getting old.
Through a scene in the TV series “Game of Thrones”, a mystical beech avenue in Northern Ireland became internationally known. Now six trees in the street called “Dark Hedges” will be felled – due to old age and storm damage. Branches will be removed from other trees.
Work began in County Antrim on Monday under the watchful eye of several tourists, the Belfast Telegraph newspaper reported. The road has been closed to cars for years anyway, after visitors hunting for a photo regularly caused traffic chaos. Pedestrians are now not allowed to walk through the avenue between the towns of Armoy and Stranocum.
Two surveys have shown that some trees need to be removed for safety reasons, said Mervyn Storey from the Dark Hedges Preservation Trust. “While we would like these trees to last forever, the reality is against it. They are 300 years old and this work needs to be done.” What is needed is a long-term plan and new planting, said Storey. “Eight seconds in Game Of Thrones changed Bregagh Road and the Dark Hedges forever.”
Of the original 150 beech trees, 86 were still standing. However, an investigation by the Ministry of Infrastructure revealed that eleven trees were in poor condition and posed a potential danger. In discussions, landowners and other stakeholders agreed to remove six trees and work on four more. “This decision was not taken lightly,” the ministry said. “While the avenue’s recreational value is recognized, the safety of road users is a priority.”
The trees were once planted along Bregagh Road, which led to Gracehill House, built in 1775.