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Dark Hedges trees 'coming to the end of their lives'

Niall Glynn
BBC News NI
Getty Images A tunnel of beech trees form a ceiling over a rural road surrounded by grass. The trees are bare and the road is narrow. There are four people on horses coming down the road. Getty Images
Actors on horseback dressed in Game of Thrones related costumes carried the Queen's baton along the Dark Hedges in 2017

The Dark Hedges, the famous trees outside Armoy in County Antrim, are "coming to the end of their natural lives", a heritage trust has said as it prepares to take over their management.

Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT) is taking over management responsibility from the Dark Hedges Preservation Trust oversight group.

The tunnel of beech trees shot to international fame when they appeared in the US TV drama Game of Thrones.

The beech trees - which were planted almost 250 years ago - suffered damage in both Storm Isha and Storm Éowyn which, along with some necessary safety maintenance, resulted in 13 of them being lost since November 2023.

Graham Thompson has short grey hair swept back from his head and glasses. He is wearing a black coat and red scarf and is standing in front of one of the Dark Hedges trees
Graham Thompson said the heritage trust would work to preserve the trees for as long as it could

Graham Thompson, CCGHT chief executive said that in environments such as Italy and the south of France, common beech trees lived for about 250 years.

"In these northern climes they're lucky to live more than 150, maybe 200 years," Mr Thompson said.

"The ones at the Dark Hedges are almost 250 years old, so they are sadly dying.

"But what we want to do now is for the future, see how long we can preserve the longevity of those trees and maintain the experience for people visiting here."

Morgan is smiling at the camera. She has long brown hair and is wearing a green hoodie. The trees can be seen behind her.
Morgan had seen pictures of the Dark Hedges before visiting from America

Morgan, on holiday from Chicago said she thought there were more trees.

She said: "Based on pictures that I had seen, but I am definitely happy to see them either way, even if it wasn't as crowded as I thought."

Elsie is smiling at the camera, she has blonde hair tied up. She is wearing a white jumper and the trees can be seen in the background.
Elsie is visiting from Chicago

Elsie also on a trip from America said she was disappointed to see some of the trees had been carved by visitors.

She said: "The natural beauty, especially in Ireland, is such an attraction and I really think that people should come and enjoy it, but respectfully."

Almost 80 trees remain at the site.

Mr Thompson said a management plan would be put in place for the trees – checking each one of them every year as well as after any storm or other incidents.

An uprooted tree lies across the road at the Dark Hedges. The roots are on the left of the picture and the tree is bare of leaves
One of the Dark Hedges trees brought down by Storm Éowyn in January

"We've had three big storms in the last while, two of those storms caused damage to the trees, we've had to take away trees for safety reasons as well," he said.

He said they would also plant new trees.

"Nothing will replace what is lost, but part of the process is to be a sound custodian and a sound environmental manager ensuring that we have something else there in place," Mr Thompson said.

The Dark Hedges has become a popular attraction for Game of Thrones fans

Mr Thompson said: "12 seconds on Game of Thrones" had turned the site into a huge tourist attraction.

He said the influx of visitors had taken its toll on the trees, primarily because of cars travelling on the road they are planted on.

"We want to work with the Roads Service to make sure the traffic restrictions are enhanced and enforced, we want to work with tourism bodies to try and have an appropriate form of promotion," Mr Thompson said.

"Let's all work together to make sure that this very special place stays that way as long as we possibly can."