An elm tree that was more than a century old, situated on land purchased by the city of Quincy, has been cut down to make room for the new Central Middle School. According to city officials, the tree had a degenerative disease and was in declining health, and moving it would have cost at least $100,000. Furthermore, according to a lab at the University of Massachusetts, replanting the tree would further harm the health of the tree due to its age. Members of the Wollaston Garden Club objected vehemently to cutting down the tree, citing its size, historical significance, and ecological value. Despite protests, the tree was cut down last Monday as part of site work by the city’s contractor, H.V. Collins Co.