Andover’s campus, already renowned as one of the most beautiful prep school campuses in the country, will soon be improved by addition of several new trees. This week Phillips Academy will be removing ageing, diseased trees and replacing them with newer, healthier ones. The new trees are Valley Forge American Elms, a new, disease resistant variety of the elm tree. Several of the trees being replaced are dying of Dutch Elm Disease, a fungal infection usually spread by beetles. Manager of Grounds and Vehicles Ron Johnson said, “The new Valley Forge Elm was selected after 20 years of research and exhibits the best resistance to Dutch Elm Disease.” Mr. Johnson continued, “Elm trees on the Andover campus have a long tradition. They have been continuously planted since the founding of the Academy in the late 1700s. The Great Elm just south of the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library is estimated to be about 265 years old. We take good care of this tree and approximately 140 other mature elms on campus.” In the early 1800’s a treasurer of Phillips Academy named Samuel Farra went into a swamp and dug up several native elms and transported them to campus where they were planted. These trees make up the Elm Arch in the center of the campus and the esplanade. Over the course of 200 years, these elm trees have survived harsh New England winters, hurricanes, disease, and droughts. In the mid-nineteenth century many of the trees on campus became infected with Dutch Elm Disease despite attempts to control the bark beetle population that spreads the disease. Now the Academy takes great pains to prevent its elms from succumbing to the disease. “During the early summer, the elms are injected with a chemical solution to prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease,” said Mr. Johnson. He added, “The [Valley Forge American Elm] gives us hope in our efforts to re-establish elm plantings in accordance with original campus designs and continue the great legacy of the Andover elms.” However, the Academy is planting more the just elm trees. Mr. Johnson said, “We are also re-planting other species of trees on campus to maintain a healthy diversity. The new East Lawn area near the Gelb Science Center has several plantings of Red Oak, Pin Oak, Pines, and flowering trees including Shadblow, Redbud, Crabapple, and Cherry. Other trees recently planted on campus include European Beech, Sugar Maple, and Kasturatree.” The work began earlier this year when two dying Sugar Maple trees in front of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology were replaced with new Red Maples. Mr. Johnson said the Red Maples are “more tolerant of road salt and urban conditions along Main Street.” The Grounds Department recently planted about 24 trees in various locations throughout campus, including sites along Main Street and Salem Street. Also, new trees have been planted in the Elm Arch in the middle of campus, which will become part of the picturesque esplanade. In addition, two new elms will be planted on each side of the entrance to Chapel Road. According to Mr. Johnson, “We will continue the re-planting efforts next season and focus on other Main Campus areas and new sites in the West Quads.”
