Spare that tree

Nothing could illustrate the ongoing conflict between the march of progress and the steadfastness of nature than that between expansion plans for University of Maine science labs and the ancient tree that stands in the way.

It’s not just any tree; it’s a very large, very old American elm, the species for which the word “stately” was coined. It’s not even just any old 150-year-old elm; it’s one that was brought back from the dead more than a quarter-century ago through pioneering Dutch elm disease research conducted by Richard Campana, emeritus professor of botany.

So not only is there conflict, there’s irony, too. A tree saved by science, that, in fact, nearly gave its life to aid science, may now fall victim to science.

Faculty, students and Orono townspeople are mounting a campaign to save the tree and, to their credit, UMaine officials are listening. The plans for a $5.5 million expansion of Hitchner Hall to add 12 cellular and molecular biology labs are being reconsidered and so far two options, both doable, have been identified.

One alternative being considered is to put the Hitchner addition on the parking lot on the building’s east side. While the campus, like all campuses, is short of parking, this particular lot is in poor condition and its loss likely could be made up for with a new lot elsewhere.

The other possibility, to put the new labs on additional floors added to the building, may be even better. It would provide both the needed space and the opportunity to do something about the overall appearance and functionality of Hitchner Hall. Already the victim of several additions, Hitchner is easily one of the uglier buildings on campus, unless one favors the Post-Modern Hodge-Podge school of architecture. Further, the additions have created internal blind alleys, parts of the building not accessible from others. A project that built up instead of out could also correct those shortcomings.

The relevant committees working on the much-needed expansion of and improvements to UMaine’s scientific-research capacity are considering these two options and UMaine President Peter Hoff offers assurances that all reasonable efforts will be made to get one of them to work.

That’s good; actually, necessary. UMaine has made great progress recently in rebuilding the confidence of Maine people, students and lawmakers. It was an important part of a remarkable effort just last year to boost state investment in research and development. It would be a shame to squander all that goodwill by cutting down a tree for science labs, especially a tree that, in its own way, is a pioneer of science.