Campus Life

Office of Physical Plant to spray University Park elms May 26-27

The iconic American elm trees on Penn State's University Park campus are sprayed twice each year to help slow the spread of both Dutch elm disease and elm yellows. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Office of Physical Plant will conduct its annual elm spray tonight, May 26, at University Park. Spraying will begin from the ground at approximately 9 p.m. and aerial application by helicopter at first light on Wednesday, May 27. Both applications are weather permitting, and signage will be posted in the affected areas.

The Office of Physical Plant sprays the trees each year to slow the spread of both Dutch elm disease and elm yellows, and to protect the remaining iconic elms on the University Park campus. Typically, sprayings occur twice a year in May and July. These 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