UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Starting at 9 p.m. on Monday, May 13, the Penn State Office of Physical Plant (OPP) will conduct the first round of its annual, two-part, elm tree spraying program at University Park.

Ground-based spraying will take place overnight, with an aerial application by helicopter set to take place at daybreak on the morning of Tuesday, May 14 (estimated time 5:30 a.m.).

Both aerial and ground-based applications are weather permitting, and signage will be posted in the affected areas.  

OPP sprays the historic campus elm trees each year in May and July to slow the spread of both Dutch elm disease and elm yellows, and to protect the remaining iconic elms on the University Park campus. These applications are carefully timed to best control the disease and benefit the trees, and to be as minimally invasive as possible to the campus community and the trees’ diverse ecosystem.  

OPP thanks the campus community for understanding the need and cooperating with this important program aimed at preserving the campus’ elm trees.