Prominent campus tree succumbs to disease

Photo by Darlene Prickett.



The American elm outside of "Ole Jim" in July 2003. Photo by Ralph Fernandez.



The tree in April 1998. Photo by Chun Louie.



The tree in the 1890s. Photo courtesy Gallaudet Archives.

Staff arriving back on campus after the winter break were sad to note the passing of the century-old American elm tree at the intersection in front of Peikoff Alumni House ("Ole Jim").

The tree was riddled with Dutch elm disease and had almost entirely rotted on the inside. Despite years of heroic measures, the tree had to be removed because of safety reasons.

Grounds Services plans to plant a new tree in either the same spot or another location on campus to compensate for the loss of this old friend.