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Barnard's Honeylocust Dies and Is Removed Barnard's honeylocust tree, a long-standing part of Barnard's landscape, located just north of Barnard Hall, has died of natural causes and was removed on October 31. The tree did not leaf out this season, and after consultation with an arborist, the college decided to have it removed as a safety precaution. Portions of the tree have been saved and distributed as mementos. Anyone interested in obtaining a remnant of this highly visible part of the Barnard landscape should contact facility services. According to Donald Glassman, the college's archivist, the tree was likely planted in the late 1950s. The honeylocust is known to be relatively short lived, reaching a maximum age of 125 years, though the average life span for urban plantings is significantly shorter, about 60 to 70 years. Barnard's tree stopped flowering and fruiting a few years ago and simply died of old age. Biology Professor Emeritus Philip Ammirato notes that notes "we tend to forget that most trees have rather defined life spans because they often live longer than ourselves. Some trees have very short lives. So, our honeylocust, a long-standing symbol of Barnard, has died of natural causes and will be recycled---ashes to ashes, wood to compost--to help support the next generation of trees." With the construction of the Nexus slated to begin within two years, resulting in substantial new landscaping, no replacement tree will be planted at this time.