Old campus elm tree falls prey to disease

Circa 1930s

For more than 80 years, an American Elm tree has shaded the sidewalk and steps leading to Dyche Hall. Unfortunately, it soon will be only a memory for the thousands of students who have walked underneath its wide canopy.

Circa 1960s

The tree, which sits about 15 yards from the double doors that lead into the Natural History Museum, has fallen prey to a fatal disease common to trees of that species. The tree has contracted either Dutch Elm disease or a parasitic organism known as phloem necrosis, but experts aren't sure which is the culprit.

"The exact cause cannot be determined without laboratory testing, which would be a moot point since both diseases are irreversible," said Michael Lang, KU Facilities Operations landscape maintenance project manager.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, both conditions are spread by insects but also may be contracted through root grafts between adjacent trees. The tree shows visible damage in its upper half, where branches lay bare.

Greg Wade, landscape architect with Design and Construction Management, said the tree would be removed sometime in July. A new tree may be planted as soon as this fall.

July 2002

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