As part of our ongoing tree pruning, maintenance and inspection program, we have detected Dutch Elm disease in two elm trees on campus, one of these elm trees are located in the Main Quad on the south side of Steel Building and the other is on the east side of Dalton Hall. Unfortunately, these trees have to be removed and properly disposed of immediately to help avoid the spread of this disease to other elm trees. This removal was scheduled to take place on Saturday, and Sunday, April 5-6. Unfortunately the Aborist was not able to complete the work on those dates, therefore the removal will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27. Each tree removed will be replaced in the spring of 2014 with Princeton Elm trees in their existing locations. Princeton Elms were developed by Princeton Nurseries in 1922 in Princeton NJ. That's about 10 years before DED was even noticed in other trees! It has proved it can withstand DED. Even if it gets DED it doesn't necessarily mean the tree will die from it. It has all of the same growth characteristics as American Elm. It is actually a variety of American Elm. While the contractors have been instructed that the work be executed with the least possible interference or disturbance to the campus community, a certain amount of disruption is inevitable. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jackie MacPhail at 6034 or jmacphail@upei.ca