Posioned oak trees removed from Auburn University's Toomer's Corner, Auburn University's poisoned oak trees have been removed from Toomer's Corner, bringing an end to an era and a drastic change to the landscape.
WSFA-TV reported crews cut down the landmark oaks, some of which were more than a century old, and left stumps lying near piles of sawdust early Tuesday (April 23).
The trees had died after being poisoned by a crazed University of Alabama football fan.
Harvey Updyke Jr. is serving a jail term after pleading guilty on March 22 to spiking the oaks with a powerful environmental herbicide after the 2010 Iron Bowl in which eventual Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton led a stunning Auburn comeback as the Tigers overcame a 24-0 deficit to defeat Alabama 28-27 en route to the 2010 BCS title.
Workers used chain saws and heavy equipment to remove what was left of the once-lush hardwoods at Toomer's Corner.
Auburn fans traditionally roll the trees with toilet paper after a big victory, and tens of thousands rolled the trees after the spring football game last Saturday.
On Saturday (April 20), a record crowd gathered at the corner for one final roll and the university unveiled plans for the corner's redesign.
The oaks were temporarily replaced with a wire system to carry on the tradition of rolling the corner at the intersection of College and Magnolia, a gateway to the Auburn campus.
WSFA-TV reported crews cut down the landmark oaks, some of which were more than a century old, and left stumps lying near piles of sawdust early Tuesday (April 23).
The trees had died after being poisoned by a crazed University of Alabama football fan.
Harvey Updyke Jr. is serving a jail term after pleading guilty on March 22 to spiking the oaks with a powerful environmental herbicide after the 2010 Iron Bowl in which eventual Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton led a stunning Auburn comeback as the Tigers overcame a 24-0 deficit to defeat Alabama 28-27 en route to the 2010 BCS title.
Workers used chain saws and heavy equipment to remove what was left of the once-lush hardwoods at Toomer's Corner.
Auburn fans traditionally roll the trees with toilet paper after a big victory, and tens of thousands rolled the trees after the spring football game last Saturday.
On Saturday (April 20), a record crowd gathered at the corner for one final roll and the university unveiled plans for the corner's redesign.
The oaks were temporarily replaced with a wire system to carry on the tradition of rolling the corner at the intersection of College and Magnolia, a gateway to the Auburn campus.
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