That’s All, F’Oaks: Toomer’s Trees Done

50 Comments

Auburn University officials have decided to eventually replace the poisoned oak trees at Toomer’s Corner with one or two new trees. The tradition of rolling Toomer’s Corner will continue with those new trees, which could be part of a massive renovation project for the area in 2013.

Gary Keever, and Auburn professor of horticulture, has been caring for the current trees since they were poisoned with Spike 80-DF, allegedly by Alabama super fan Harvey Updyke following the 2010 Iron Bowl. Keever expects the trees will die soon and says it will take some time before the tradition starts up again with their replacements.

“They would not be able to be rolled immediately, need to allow three to five years for them to reestablish,” Keever says.

For now, the dying oak trees could be strong enough to support TP rollings during the 2012 season. Either way, Auburn is making sure this cherished tradition doesn’t die even if the trees sadly done.

[WAFB]

1:47 PM on 7/25/2012

http://twitter.com/AU_GRAD2003 AU_GRAD2003

we should make harvey swallow an acorn and bury him in a hole
- Wileycoyote
  
  I’m a UA Grad 1984, I’ll dig the hole.
NBamaAlum

ROLL TIDE
- DW
  
  SHOWS THE BACKWARD SOME TIDE FANS ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tsims1954

I graduated in 76…..War Eagle…..The Spirit will live on in us all…I’m glad they will be replaced. Hopefully they can transplant fairly large somewhat mature ones with today’s huge machinery and technology.
MikeO

What a Alabama Thug Punk, and hope he goes to jail and has to pay for new tree’s.
Jjau93

NBamaAlum showing the world that it isn’t just the bama sidewalk alumni that are trash. 99% of bama grads and fans make the other 1% look bad.
- Snoozer
  
  You are a disgrace to Auburn University. I am an Alabama graduate and your generalization of the “99% of bama grads” is ridiculous. Do you realize what you said? Do you mean that? How many of the “99% of bama grads” have you ever met or do you know personally? How sad that YOU are representing AU here!
  - Jjau93
    
    Snoozer, I’ll grant you that 99% is a little overstated. How about 97% make the other 3% look bad? Your base is filled with losers that cling on to wins by the tahd as if they are part of the team and have no idea how to be gracious in victory. Hell, the institution itself condones chanting “We just beat the hell out of you!” at opponents whether they be LSU, Auburn, or a start up program like Georgia State. Last year, Jordan Hare Stadium was littered with updykes wearing “Auburn Ain’t Sh!t!” buttons and “F*^K Auburn” shirts. Complete disregard for the children in our areas and another clear indicator that the only “class” updykes show is low class.
guest

I am a Bama fan but live in AU. Those trees are exquisite, beautiful, natural landmarks. I will help dig Harvey’s hole.
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Michael-Buxton/624672314 David Michael Buxton

We have to remember… there is a small segment of bama fans that have class, just like there is a small segment of bama fans that actually went to the school or have a legitimate connection to the school other than just being bandwagon fairweather fans… the rest of them are the ones that look at harvey updyke and the new orleans teabagger as heroes…
- Bob
  
  wtf does the NO gut have to do with the tees?
  - tree hugger
    
    Bob – I can tell that you’re an Alabama grad by your spelling & grammar. Luckily, your parants named you Bob & not Robert, because Robert has 2 syllables.
    - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Y4X2DJQ6YCNR34Z4PG5H7UZAPY Laconic
      
      “Parants” ? Please don’t live in a glass house
Guest

I’m 60 years old and have lived and breathed Crimson my entire life. My dad played for Bama. I think a rusty knife and a lesson from Ms Bobbit would be too good for this piece of crap. Or tie a rope to the tree as one of it’s last gestures. To all the Auburn faithful…most Bama fans are appalled and embarrassed by this idiot. We wish you the best in finding a way to continue your rich tradition.
- SLY
  
  And I am an LSU Tiger fan!
Cwise

I Roll with the Tide until I die, but would gladly help see that this so-called “Bama Fan” gets what he deserves. RTR!!!
Tim_matthews32

This is a sad day for a great tradition. War Eagle!
Kevin

As a UGA fan I hate it when idiots like UpdiCk think what they do promotes one team over another! Traditions like rolling the toomers oaks is what makes our conference so great. Don’t ruin other peoples fun! GO DAWGS!
Xlr8sm

Yes it was stupid and wrong…BUT IT IS A TREE, FOLKS. 3,700 babies are killed daily in America. That is something we should be worried about.
- Alex
  
  Not asking for comparisions (aboritions) or excuses…this man went too far and he should be punished…harshly, so this doesn’t happen again…by either fanbase…
  
  and if you think differently, then let us come and kill something you cherish…
  - Xlr8sm
    
    People are talking about hanging him and killing him. He deserves to be punished, but I’ve read so much about him, it is crazy. He has been given so much attention, he is famous. If we got up in arms like this about things that actually matter, maybe we could make a difference.
  - Trey121
    
    Get a life.
    - Alex
      
      What’s wrong Trey, don’t you think the knifes slices both ways?
Chris Rigsby

I don’t care how many National Titles Alabama makes up that they won, Alabama fans are still 2nd class citizens (and everyone knows that they are classless). Best thing to do about the Texas native, Alabama fan(wonder how he became a Bammer fan from Texas) who poisoned the trees at Auburn is not to show him any attention. Just give Alabama fans a couple of bad years when Saban go back to the NFL and all the Alabama fans except for about 1% will be wearing Troy St. colors and burning their bama jerseys, hats and truck tags just like they did during the Shula year, and will be telling everybody how Alabama sucks! BAND WAGON JUMPERS!
- Js3809
  
  Chris- You have just displayed exactly what we are trying to stay away from. Has it ever occured to you that we are all Alabamains first and foremost. It doesn’t matter if you are a Tide or a Tiger, we represent the state of Alabama. True Tide fans are just as upset about what was don’t to your trees as you are. Worry about bigger things in life especially in Ala such as the poor and hungry. Where is your class? Trees grow back, we can replant, but people die and don’t come back. Show your class not your ignorance as Updyke did. You continue to say WDE and I will continue to say Roll Tide- But do it with respect…
  - Alex
    
    js3809….there is no excuse for stupid…YES, Hell yes, there are worse issue facing our society, and we can worry (or do something) about them as a society, but wrongful acts like Harvey or the Tea Bagger need to be addressed, whether you are a Tiger, or a Tide fan. These issue will increase if these people aren’t sent a clear message (strong message) that their total disregard of others, will not be accepeted, it will continue more and people may get hurt.
- Timothyf7
  
  This is a second class citizen comment. It is is people like ‘You’ that cause incidents like this. Making ignorant generalizations like that, instigates the ‘redneck’ reactions such as Updyke’s. Be proud, you are a living embodiment of everything you describe others to be.
  - Jjau93
    
    So comments from Auburn fans are responsible for instigating the “redneck” reactions of Updyke State fans? Yet, despite being outnumbered more than 2 to 1 in this state and putting up with years of abuse and negative comments from Updyke State fans, coaches, and administrators the Auburn fans don’t respond with “redneck” reactions. Updyke State lost to Arky several years ago and an angry Updyke daddy points a gun at his son’s head and pulls the trigger because the kid wanted to borrow the car to escape his drunken rage. Lose to South Carolina in 2010 and a USC fan gets murdered by an angry Updyke after the game in traffice trying to leave. Lose to Auburn, destroy a unique campus tradition by killing the trees. Even in victory, Updykes can’t help themselves. Just ask the LSU fan that had a ball sack rubbed all over his face while 100 + Updykes chanted Roll Tide and did nothing to stop it. Not a decent one in the entire crowd. Harvey is treated as a hero by the Updyke State fans as they ask for autographs, get photos with him, give him tickets to games, and pay for his legal defense. Despite the desire of some bama fans to separate themselves from this behavior, the vast majority of the fan base condones it and the rest of the country is starting to see what Auburn fans have known for years.
http://profile.yahoo.com/ZH4J5B44BKZMQ2FSD2HVY4KX7U John D'Acquisto

They need to use Ocean Solution it could save the trees hell what do you have to lose
AUSemper Fi

Finally…i read some BAMA fans comments that I consider classy. I have to admit that i met more of the Bad fans than the good Bama fans. Usually the bad ones are the one who never to school in UA. One of my good friends , the one that I trust my life with is a BAMA fan. We never rag on each other regardless who won the IB that year.I wish there are more of those….
Sarmstrong

I remember the giddy call the ass made to Finebaum about the deed. He should be fined the worth of the trees, be made to go to Toomers Corner each week to water and feed the new trees and then slapped by five students before he returns home each week. There are more important things in this life but imagine if an Auburn fan had destroyed Denny chimes. Then again, I am sure the Bama fans would not see that as the same even though it would not be a bad. Denny could be rebuilt in a year, these trees cannot.
14flags1champion

I am sympathetic to the situation with the trees and think that this was a horrible act in the name of football much less anything else, But my biggest problem is that graduates of Auburn and Alabama continually degrade not only the fans but also the people of Alabama with statements like sidewalk fans and 2nd class citizens. Every institution weather pro or college has your everyday fan that did not darken the doors of that school or franchise but have supported their endeavors with ticket and merchandise purchases and if it was not for those fans NO franchise or university incuding Auburn and Alabama would not survive and to think that anyone because they have attended and I said attended not graduate from a institution of higher learning think that they are better than anyone else is no better than the Harvey Updike.

RTR.
- Reelmon
  
  Of course the shoe fits!
- Sie
  
  Don’t hide behind that crap… the sad truth is that if you’re a sidewalk fan in the state, then there’s a 90-95% chance you’re a bammer.
  
  Auburn has gotten by just fine for our entire history with little to no help from sidewalk fans, but if it makes you feel better to say that we need them, then say it… but it’s BS.
  
  MOST Auburn fans are fans because we went to school and graduated from there. Part of ourselves are actually tied there and to the University, and not just the athletic program. The same cannot be said for your lot.
  
  But that’s just fine if you’ve been sucked into the white-trash bug zapper called “Allerbammer Trudishun – we gots 14!” But don’t let that project your shortcomings onto MY University.
  - Snoozer
    
    I am an Alabama graduate and am proud of that fact. My son is also an Alabama graduate with both B.A. and M.S. degrees. However, I know many, many Auburn fans who never went to school at Auburn. They may have a relative or friend who did or they may just want to support a local team and chose Auburn, as many have chosen Alabama. To equate Alabama fans with “white trash” is a generalization that I could personally apply to many of the Auburn fans I know, but I wouldn’t do that. Fans are fans, no matter which team they choose to support. Leave them alone.
  - Loubernaljr1946
    
    WOW what world do you live in i guest you where born with a silver spoon in your ass and never left your house i’m 66 yrs old and been a Auburn fan since 1957 been working 2 jobs for over 30yrs so i could go to aleast 4 home game and there are ALOT OF US SIDEWALK FANS AND VERY PROUD OF IT oh just fyi over 60% of fans in all univ.in this country are sidewalk fans don’t believe me check it out before you answer
  - Adasdf
    
    ”Auburn has gotten by just fine for our entire history with little to no
    help from sidewalk fans, but if it makes you feel better to say that we
    need them, then say it… but it’s BS.”
    
    Pure barn delusion at its finest. The sidewalk fans are the backbone of your university. You think because UA has more, the sidewalk argument doesn’t apply to your fanbase, but the reality is, 70% of your merchandise sales are courtesy of the barnzoes who have no affiliation to your school whatsoever.
    
    By typing this, I’m reminded of the goathumpers spouting “WE WOULD NEVER DAWN THE DOORS OF A WAL-MART”. A year later, after *ubarn buys its second title in school history, white trash *ubarn fans flooded Wal-Mart to see that tainted trophy. Now that the imageshave vanished from the minds of many, they have resorted back to this delusional state of mind.
    
    “MOST Auburn fans are fans because we went to school and graduated from
    there. Part of ourselves are actually tied there and to the University,
    and not just the athletic program. The same cannot be said for your lot.”
    
    FYI, UA currently has a larger student body than *U, and has produced more grads over the years. In addition, it’s estimated that by 2014, UA will have over 10,000 more students than *U. So that is an asinine statement at its finest.
    
    Perhaps you should google “Floridan Blogger The Incestuous *ubarn Family Is Far From Perfect”. After that, google “Aubarn Alumnus Of The Day” because you’re obviously in dire need of a reality check.
http://www.facebook.com/gayden.white Gayden White

Hope Auburn and the court take anything of any monetary value from Ole Harv to partially compensate them for the costs incurred in caring for these trees and then for the new trees, including planting expenses and labor. Bet Ole Harv will pee all over himself if he ever even goes close to an oak.
Mike

Hang him from the from the oaks then toilet paper!
Mike

Thanks Bama folks. Class!
RollTideJim1938

Words will never replace the trees at Toomer’s Corner and it is sad that some idiot had to poison the trees. I have been a Tide fan all my life and still am after moving to Tiger Country in Louisiana. I am 74 years old and my next birthday wish is to meet this Updyke character in a dark alley because at 74 I think I can whip his a** for what he did. I am so sorry for the Auburn fans and hope they can find other trees to carry on this great tradition until new trees can be used at Toomer’s Corner. And lastly, I hope this idiot is blackballed every where he goes in our great state and can never get within 100 miles of a Tide game. Roll Tide and War Eagle!
BleedCrimson&White

I have read all the past comments and those listed below that contain statements about the uneducated supporters that the University of Alabama have. I simply can not comprehend why so many Auburn and Alabama fans make comments as they have over the years. I have lived in Georgia, Virginia, Louisiana, California, Washington and Alabama and I have never witnessed the ugly and disrespectful comments in any other place with football fans. Every state has in-state rivals and since I left my home state of Alabama 50 years ago, I can well understand why people hate each other with all this negative, unnecessary crap that you guilty people write and say. Chill out – it is just a football game!
Westie1015

I was upset by the actions of H.U.(I don’t care to name him, nor hear that stupid sound bite from Finebaum ever again). I made a donation to Tide for Toomers as a sign of goodwill. I later found out that AU had been planning on replacements for a while, just as hedges get replaced @ UGA. Let’s hope Mother Nature takes care of your new trees, and H.U. gets the punishment that is deserving of the crime.
foxtruth

wondered how long it would be before the trees showed up in the news
again . the McDonald’s incident was certainly the fuel to make it happen
. just like clockwork here it is . War Eagle !
Gregallen58

I am an Ohio State University graduate. I was sent to Aurburn for 3 years to open a new branch office there for the company I worked for. I learned that folks on ‘The Plains’ were just like the people in Columbus. Nice folks! I can’t imagine why someone would ruin a grad tradition out of meanness. Heck, even a University of Michigan fan would not even crawl so low! Best luck in replacing those trees with bigger and better ones! War Eagle!
Matthew Bentley

For there to be so many “graduates” commenting on this there sure are alot of ignorant comments
Jk

It’s a stupid tree burn it down save the wait.
- Alex
  
  your a stupid person, lets kill you dog…sound rational?
Mmcole4962

I am glad to hear that the trees will be replaced. It is a shame that such an event took place and the person who is responsible for this terrible tragedy hopefully will have learned his lesson and be justly punished for what he did. The consequences of his actions could have damaged more than trees if the poison got into the water system and then into the food chain. A terrible situation all around.

Best of the Web

Get more Traffic

That’s All, F’Oaks: Toomer’s Trees Done

Best of the Web

headlines