Campus Life

      University Park elm trees to be sprayed May 19-20

      Office of Physical Plant to spray elm trees to slow the spread of tree-related diseases

      The American elm trees on Penn State's University Park campus are sprayed in May and July each year to help slow the spread of Dutch elm disease and elm yellows. Credit: Kevin Sliman / Penn State. Creative Commons

      UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Office of Physical Plant (OPP) will conduct its annual elm spray on Wednesday, May 19, at University Park. Spraying will begin from the ground at approximately 9 p.m. and aerial application by helicopter at first light on Thursday, May 20. Both applications are weather permitting, and signage will be posted in the affected areas.

      The Office of Physical Plant sprays the trees each year in May and July to slow the spread of both Dutch elm disease and elm yellows, and to protect the remaining iconic elms on the University Park campus. These applications are carefully timed to best control the pest and benefit the trees, and to be as minimally invasive as possible to the campus community.

      OPP thanks the campus community for understanding the need and cooperating with this important program aimed at preserving the campus’ elm trees.

      Last Updated June 18, 2021

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