Save the trees - Library

In the 1970's it was decided that the "Stacks" were overloaded and a new library was needed. The original plan called for the destruction of several of the ancient trees that stood in the way of "progress". The students protested and it was decided to build huge bricked "pots" around the roots which were incorporated into the walls of the new building. Upon my return many years later I discovered that those trees had been removed. Did the plan not work or did the trees die of old age?