public void removeLayoutComponent(Component comp) {
        synchronized (comp.getTreeLock()) {
            if (comp == center) {
                center = null;
            } else if (comp == north) {
                north = null;
            } else if (comp == south) {
                south = null;
            } else if (comp == east) {
                east = null;
            } else if (comp == west) {
                west = null;
            } else if (comp == northEast) {
                northEast = null;
            } else if (comp == southEast) {
                southEast = null;
            } else if (comp == northWest) {
                northWest = null;
            } else if (comp == southWest) {
                southWest = null;
            }
        }
    }