The official university explanation: http://www.asu.edu/news/stories/200512/20051205_oldmainlawn.htm

I have been watching them chop up the trees and their claim that they will be "transplanting some of the mature trees" seems at this point to be a lie. Using Diane McCarthy's logic, I think we should ask them to tear down the Foundation building so we can see A mountain from our building! I hope this will not harm the feral Peach-Faced Lovebirds that nest in the palm trees.