The popular television series “Game of Thrones” included several trees in Northern Ireland, but thanks to a vote last Wednesday, October 25, local council members decided to spare them from destruction.

According to a study, visitors' health and safety may be at danger, thus up to 11 beech trees at The Dark Hedges, a tunnel of beech trees in Armoy, Co. Antrim, may need to be destroyed.

The Dark Hedges, which starred as the King's Road in Game of Thrones, has gained popularity as a tourist destination in Northern Ireland.

However, research commissioned by the Department of Infrastructure and specialists from Tree Safety discovered that 11 of the site's trees should be destroyed since one of them is dead and the remainder of the trees are in bad condition.

At least six of the trees are covered by protection orders, which means that before the trees are cut down, the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Councils must provide their approval.

ITV News stated the council had a vote on the matter last Wednesday and decided to remove only one of the trees that were highlighted in the report.

About 150 trees made up the original Dark Hedges when they were planted in 1775 along the Bregagh Road, which led to Gracehill House.

But there are presently just approximately 80 beech trees in the tunnel; in recent years, high winds have pulled down a number of these trees.

Since the trees are likewise thought to be past maturity, branch breaks are frequent.

The Save the Dark Hedges campaign organisation has issued a warning, stating that increasing foot traffic at the location may have expedited tree degradation and that a visitor may be “killed” if the trees are allowed to decay.

Group representative Bob McCallion demanded further funding to sustain the attraction and accused the local government of abandoning the region.

“Before Wednesday's council vote, McCallion told the Belfast Telegraph that someone is going to be killed because of the state these trees are in.”

Aggressive Dark Hedges Preservation Trust and DUP councillor Mervyn Storey have urged for a “aggressive tree planting scheme" but fear that it is now “too late” for such an undertaking.

“Trying to keep something alive that has been in the intensive care unit for a good number of years" is how Storey put the efforts made to save the Dark Hedges.

A separate investigation by the Trust has determined that only four or five trees need to be removed from the Dark Hedges, Storey told the Belfast Telegraph prior to Wednesday's council vote. He added that he is not eager to see the "beginning of the end" of the well-liked tourist destination.