UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- For generations, nearly every image made of Penn State's iconic Old Main building -- paintings, sketches, photographs -- has included the two majestic elm trees that grace its front corners. Now elm yellows, a disease that has already claimed many American elms on the University Park campus, has so infected one of the trees that it must be removed.
Weather permitting, the University's Office of Physical Plant has scheduled the removal for the week of spring break -- when the majority of the student and faculty population takes off for a much-needed breather from the semester -- which will minimize security risks to pedestrians.
A video acknowledges these environmental landmarks' significance across several generations of Penn Staters. To watch it, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/PennState?feature=watch#p/u/6/BRrYJfeC7C4.