Dutch elm disease has claimed the lives of four trees in the Yard this year. Two of them have been cut down in the past week.

"This is the worst time in five years." Daniel J. Gow, foreman of grounds, said. He attributed the high mortality rate this year to a drought four years ago which weakened the 75 to 80-year-old trees, making them susceptible to the disease.

Harold L. Goyette, director of the Planning Office for the University, said, "We don't believe there's anything like a crisis but we do think it's a problem so we do have to have a plan to efficiently and economically maintain the quality of the environment."

"Over the years, most trees cut down have been replaced," Goyette said. "We are developing a more systematic long range program to assure that trees removed for any reason are replaced."

Of the 316 trees in the Yard, 102 are elms. However, this number is decreasing as no new elms are being planted for those removed. In their place, other varieties which have appropriate shapes for the Yard and strong tolerances for the urban environment are being grown.

According to Vicki G. Clapper, staff landscape architect, all the elms in the Old Yard died around 1900. Sixteen years later, a major reforestation was carried out in which 20 or 25-year-old trees were planted to replace those that had died.