The department ordered the trees removed, citing "major root damage."
It was re-decorated each year through 1967 when it was severely damaged in a wind storm and subsequently died as a result of root damage.
Soil compaction and root damage by crowds and construction projects also adversely affect the elms.
The pots should be tall and narrow to provide room for the taproot and to lessen the likelihood of root damage when transplanting.
Local conditions, like a summer's searing heat, can cause high soil temperatures and root damage, or lack of sufficient rainfall can cause drought.
If the tree's in a windy area, though, staking helps keep the tree from getting root damage.
A National Park Service spokesperson said that the agency feared the tree had suffered extensive root damage, and would not survive.
The overall root damage associated with Pratylenchus can cause poor growth, reduce crop yields, or kill off the plant completely.
Large-scale repaving projects can cause enough root damage to kill or injure healthy trees.
They are the most effective at reducing root damage from feeding and are safer and often cheaper than insecticide use.