A familiar piece of UCLA's landscape is disappearing from campus this summer, the victim of old age, pests and disease.

About 50 mature eucalyptus trees that line Westwood Plaza, from the campus' south gateway northward to Sunset Boulevard, are being replaced because their deteriorating health has created public safety concerns.

"We're sorry to have to remove the trees, but unfortunately they have become a potential public safety hazard," said Jack Powazek, assistant vice chancellor for facilities management. "Removing the trees will make the campus safer, and ultimately the new trees we plant will be just as attractive as the ones we're replacing."

Officials began to examine the 70-year-old trees a few years ago when they started to show signs of disease; two fell unexpectedly. No one was hurt, but two independent arborists examined the trees and concluded they were dying.

The eucalyptus trees will be replaced with Canary Island pine trees, a hearty and fast-growing species already well-represented on campus.

Following commencement, workers started the process of removing the eucalyptuses June 18, beginning with the trees near the south gateway to campus. The trees on the south end of campus will be removed at the end of this month and early July, while the ones along Sunset will be removed in August during the summer break for the Corinne A. Seeds University Elementary School. Replacement trees will be planted through the end of summer.

The trees at the south gateway will be replaced with 10 mature, 40-foot-tall Canary Island pines that will be removed from a site in the southwest campus where graduate student housing is scheduled to be built.

Most of the eucalyptus trees in the center of campus will be replaced with 20- to 25-foot-tall Canary Island pines purchased from growers.

The trees at the north end of campus along Sunset Boulevard will be replaced with 6- to 8-foot-tall trees. Planting conditions in those areas prevent larger trees from being used, Powazek said.

"Canary Island pines grow quickly, and within five to seven years we expect that most of the smaller trees should reach 20 feet or more in height," he said.

The trees being removed are part of UCLA's history, the survivors of 100 eucalyptuses donated to the campus more than 70 years ago by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The gift is commemorated by plaques near the south entrance. About half of these original trees already have had to be removed because of disease or safety considerations.

Overall, crews will be adding a few more trees than the 50 that will be removed. However, in some areas, for example, near the site of the replacement hospital and the Men's Gym seismic renewal project, trees will not be replaced immediately.

Once these projects are completed, additional Canary Island pines will be planted. Looking ahead, the campus has contracted with tree nurseries to grow replacement trees in the hope they will grow 15 to 20 feet tall by the time they are brought to campus.