What remains of the famous tree [Simon Lamrock]

THE landmark Hardy Tree has fallen.

The tree in St Pancras Gardens was famous for the gravestones that piled up at its roots by architect’s assistant Thomas Hardy, better known as the author of novels like Tess of the D’Urbervilles.

Camden Council had warned in the summer that the tree had been weakened by a heavy storm and would almost certainly fall at some stage. It had been fenced off for some time.

In a statement in July, a Town Hall spokesperson said: “We are looking at ways to commemorate this tree, and its story, when it does eventually fall. The council recognises the importance of the veteran Hardy Tree, both for our local communities and nationally, which is why we’ve taken measures over the last eight years to manage this stage of its lifecycle, keeping it safe for visitors.”

The scene in St Pancras Gardens [Simon Lamrock]

The New Journal reported in 2014 how the Hardy Tree was under threat after being infected by a parasitic fungus, leading to a fence being installed around it.

Mr Hardy had worked on the original railway into St Pancras.

Like HS2 has done in Euston in modern times, it bulldozed through a cemetery and Hardy ordered some of the uprooted gravestones to be placed around the base of an ash tree.