It was the last remaining feature of the lost Lakelands gardens.

The towering 175-year-old araucaria (Monkey Puzzle) tree, an area landmark on Cork’s Jacob’s Island, came crashing down last night, after losing a battle with the might of Storm Ellen.

The moment was captured by Srećko Đikić and shared on Twitter by Con Finucane:

Big monkey puzzle tree down in Mahon #StormEllen pic.twitter.com/SwuSEudVF9

— Con Finucane (@conredman) August 19, 2020

Carefully planted by the botanist William Horatio Crawford in 1845, the gardens were a key feature in the estate of his family home ‘Lakelands’, which stood where Mahon Point Shopping Centre stands today.

According to a history of the Crawford family published by The Crawford Art Gallery, William had at Lakelands a ‘perfect arboretum…richly planted…with rare shrubs and trees’.

Monkey Puzzle / Crann arócair / Araucaria araucana

Planted by William H. Crawford in his gardens at ‘Lakelands’ (Mahon Peninsula), probably around 1845.

Native habitat: altitude of 500- 1500m in the Andes of Chile and Argentina.

The Marmite of trees: ppl love it or hate it! pic.twitter.com/fH7CFjgjPp

— Cork Trees Trust (@TreesCork) March 7, 2018

“Crawford’s plantings included Himalayan and Andean specimens, such as magnolias, rhododendrons and cordylines. The Himalayan Magnolia campbelli was in Crawford’s collection and flowered for the first time in the British Isles.

“Crawford was probably best known for this Brownea species, from which he produced several hybrids, some of which he bequeathed to the National Botanical Gardens in Dublin. This genus is native to the West Indies and cannot be cultivated outside in Britain or Ireland. In 1876, these plants grew to such a height in Crawford’s greenhouses, that he had to raise the roof.”

‘A landmark for so many’

Locals shared their dismay at the loss of the tree on social media as the storm raged last night.

“Gutted that monkey puzzle that’s been on the Cork skyline forever looks like it has fallen victim to #StormEllen.” tweeted Paula Johnson.

“So sorry to see this.” added @McGonigleWalsh. “That monkey puzzle tree is such a big part of this area and a landmark for so many in their comings and goings into and out of Cork. Very sad…and I’ll bet the signage on the drive-through Supermacs will still be intact in the morning!”

One commenter suggested the wood from the tree could be used by local craftspeople: “Those are protected species and much sought after by woodturners. Don’t let the chip it if you can, I know plenty of people who will be on it like a flash. If it’s down it would be nice if it had a second life in bowls and lamps etc.”