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Pieces of Mahón’s araucaria tree, which was irreparably damaged by Storm Ellen in August, were given to locals in Cork today as a souvenir.
After the iconic tree was brought down, Cork City Councilor Kieran McCarthy, UCC’s Dr. Eoin Lettice, O’Callaghan Properties, and St Michael’s Credit Union came together to ensure that locals with fond memories of the tree could take some of it home.
Talking with him Councilmember Kieran McCarthy says there was a lot of turnout.
“One hundred and eighty people initially signed up for a piece. St Michael’s Credit Union, myself, O’Callaghan Properties and Dr. Eoin Lettice were interested in coming together to do something for the tree.”
#CorkIrlmemory It is the day of the collection of pieces of the fallen tree of the puzzle of the monkeys in Mahón 🙂 180 pieces were requested and collected, with many stories about what the tree meant to the people; Sincere thanks to @St_Michaels_CU, O’Callaghan Properties and Dr @eoinlettice, UCC, #treesmatter pic.twitter.com/bJUjlAacun
– Kieran McCarthy (@cllrkmac) October 17, 2020
The group met in late August to inspect the tree. It was too damaged to save it, however Dr. Eoin Lettice noticed that there was a baby monkey tree growing next to the older one.
This tree is now feeding on the remains of its fallen counterpart and should grow large enough to be seen in Mahón once more.
Dr. Eoin Lettice also collected some seeds from the damaged tree.
After the initial inspection, McCarthy suggested cutting the fallen tree into smaller pieces to give to the locals.
Joe Keane of O’Callaghan Properties organized this, arranging for the tree to be cleared from South Link Road and cut down.
“A section was cut into 180 small blocks, about the size of a shoebox,” McCarthy says.
He says the locals came out strong and many expressed interest in getting bigger pieces.
“There was a family that came and called it ‘Nana’s tree’ because her grandmother always expressed a great interest in the tree and she really enjoyed it.”
People collecting a bit of 160-year history in Mahón this morning. It is sad to see the tree go, but the community will make sure it is not forgotten. Well done to @cllrkmac, @St_Michaels_CU and OCP for all their hard work. #treesmatter https://t.co/NCH8ATpFeU
– Dr. Eoin Lettice (@eoinlettice) October 17, 2020
Others said they would hire a turner to make a sculpture out of their piece, and some said they would put a clock on the wood and give it to someone as a Christmas present.
“Another girl came with her dad and she was considering doing a tree project for my school’s heritage project that I run.”
McCarthy adds that the positive response shows that trees mean something to the city and its people, and the planting of more trees should be encouraged. “Trees matter.”
Native to South America, the Araucaria araucana or araucaria is a conifer and is currently in danger of extinction in the wild due to excessive logging.
The Mahon Tree is a remnant of William H. Crawford’s Lakelands estate.
William Crawford II was a businessman, plant gatherer, and philanthropist in the late 1800s.
His father founded the Beamish and Crawford Brewery.
“It was really an experiment that William Crawford the second did in the 1840s and 1850s. He grew this big tree in the back garden of his mansion, which is now a green space next to Jacob’s Island,” says McCarthy.
“Somewhere under the ground are the foundations of an old house.”
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