Auburn's Toomer's Corner Oaks poisoned

[msd0009]

Originally Posted by AGDLynn

Anyone know the costs for cleaning up the toilet paper left when there are celebrations?

(Just curious, I had thought about this in the past when i would see pictures of the "adorned" trree.)

Wonder if Auburn (city and/or school) have "toilet paper removal" as a line item in the annual budget.

We do! We're the only city in the world that has it on our budget line! Fun fact from student recruiters lol.


As an Auburn student, and Auburn fan my whole life (I was born on the 1991 Iron Bowl...Dad was not too happy about it) I was brought to tears when Auburn sent our student body the tragic email. The Auburn Creed (which we take VERY seriously down here in Auburn) declares that "we are a spirit not afraid" and that is the attitude we as students have taken. They can kill our oaks, they can deface our property, but they can NEVER take our love for our alma mater. And, I think that is an amazing thing to say about our community. It is so sad to me to say that my kids will never see the trees that my father saw in 1957 (I'm adopted...makes a lot more sense when you think about me being a current freshman). My only positive thought in this whole situation is that if they replace the trees this year, or put some sort of memorial in at least they'll be "National Champs" trees?

PS: We had our Theta valentine's social and my date and I took a picture of us hugging our tree.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by msd0009

We do! We're the only city in the world that has it on our budget line! Fun fact from student recruiters lol.


As an Auburn student, and Auburn fan my whole life (I was born on the 1991 Iron Bowl...Dad was not too happy about it) I was brought to tears when Auburn sent our student body the tragic email. The Auburn Creed (which we take VERY seriously down here in Auburn) declares that "we are a spirit not afraid" and that is the attitude we as students have taken. They can kill our oaks, they can deface our property, but they can NEVER take our love for our alma mater. And, I think that is an amazing thing to say about our community. It is so sad to me to say that my kids will never see the trees that my father saw in 1957 (I'm adopted...makes a lot more sense when you think about me being a current freshman). My only positive thought in this whole situation is that if they replace the trees this year, or put some sort of memorial in at least they'll be "National Champs" trees?

PS: We had our Theta valentine's social and my date and I took a picture of us hugging our tree.

Remember, this isn't "they". This is Al from Dadeville. (I've spent all weekend listening to people rail on Bama fans. We don't claim this dude. He's a nut. I'm just on defense mode now.)

The Tide for Toomer's group is raising money so fast (and I'm sure there are lots of other funds raising money at the same time) I'm betting they could afford some sort of sculpture. I've read they can't plant anything on that ground now, at least not anytime soon. But they could put in something permanent that reminds everyone of the trees...something you can still throw toilet paper on ...I hope then entire tradition doesn't die with the trees.

[msd0009]

By "they, I didn't mean 'Bama fans. I meant in general people who were involved in this. It came out today that there may have been more than one person involved, and at least 3 other people knew about this and didn't report it, which in my mind is about as bad.

I'm beyond impressed by the Tide for Toomer's folks. They rule! It was something like $32,000+ the last time I checked.

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

The Tide for Toomer's group is raising money so fast (and I'm sure there are lots of other funds raising money at the same time) I'm betting they could afford some sort of sculpture. I've read they can't plant anything on that ground now, at least not anytime soon. But they could put in something permanent that reminds everyone of the trees...something you can still throw toilet paper on ...I hope then entire tradition doesn't die with the trees.

Jinx, buy me a coke. I was thinking about the possibility of "replacing" the trees short term with metal sculpture - I can't draw but I know exactly what the metal trees would look like. Ever been to Santa Fe? Some of the art galleries there feature gorgeous metal scultures and I can envision huge metal trees that would be installed on a temporary basis until the ground was restored.

Call me the eternal optimist, but I hope that somehow, someway, those trees can be saved.

[NinjaPoodle]

http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/student_affairs/

Toomer's Trees
Letter from Dr. Cary
February 18, 2011
Dear Auburn Students,
On Wednesday we learned of a horrendous crime that was committed on our campus. An individual administered a lethal dose of a toxic herbicide to our beloved Toomer’s oak trees. It is too early to know the extent of the damage to the trees in the area. I am sure you are as shocked and saddened as I am about this turn of events. I have worked at several institutions of higher education and none have a tradition as special and sacred as rolling Toomer’s corner. This season my three-year old daughter and I rolled Toomer’s corner after a few home football victories. She is always amazed at the beauty of this tradition. I assured her that one day she too will roll the corner as an Auburn student. In spite of the recent events, I still believe this to be true.
Throughout the history of Auburn University our students and alumni have faced challenges with class and integrity. What occurred was the act of a single individual. Let us uphold Auburn standards by not taking out our frustration on any individual or institution. Let us be congruent with the words of our beloved Creed – I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all – and conduct ourselves with class. Remember, this past football season teams and their fans visited Auburn and commented on the first-class hospitality of Auburn fans and students. Stories appeared in newspapers all over the country about how well Auburn fans treated their guests. Auburn parents and alum expect us to uphold the tradition of excellence they worked so hard to establish. We will not let the actions of an individual change the character of who we are. Any act of retaliation by an Auburn student against an individual or institution would be inconsistent with who we are and tarnish the reputation of the entire Auburn family.
I would like to commend the Auburn Police Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation and state police for their thorough investigation and efforts to apprehend the alleged suspect. We honor their work by trusting the process and not creating additional burdens for law enforcement.
In the coming weeks Auburn administrators and students will have opportunities to share their thoughts on what we should do next. As we learn more about the condition of Toomer’s corner, our faculty experts and landscaping officials strongly recommend we not roll the trees while we assess their health and treat them. It makes recovery chances even more challenging.

Thank you for continuing to make me proud to be a member of the Auburn family.

Ainsley Carry, Ed. D.
Vice President for Student Affairs

[AGDLynn]

Okey dokey, lol.

I'll start not liking Auburn again next fall.

[AZ-AlphaXi]

Maybe hope that the trees can be saved??

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...ees-optimism/1

[SWTXBelle]

Apparently Updike is to be allowed to live in Louisiana.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-04-20/harvey-updyke-waives-right-to-preliminary-hearing?icid=maing-grid7|maing7|dl1|sec3_lnk1|57375

[carnation]

I really thought that someone would beat him up when they took him to jail the first time.

[AGD1978]

Now that the thread's been bumped and spring is springing and all (at least it finally is out here in the hinterlands--y'all have probably been enjoying spring flowers and such for weeks! Yesterday's snow and 20 degree temps didn't do my newly-budding trees any good. But I digress--)--

How are the oak trees doing?

[SWTXBelle]

Fingers crossed they can come back!

QUOTE:
Initially, experts believed the amount of high-level toxins dumped into the soil would overpower the trees, but the thought the trees may get saved grew this week, as the now-tender trees fight through rapid cycles of new life and then shedding of poisoned leaves.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/07/06/...#ixzz1ZpuPsfaA

[carnation]

Oh, I hope I hope. If Keever thinks there's a chance, then just maybe...

[carnation]

http://www.auburn.edu/communications...date121126.pdf

Ohhhh no.

[amIblue?]

What a shame.

[SWTXBelle]

So who was the brainiac who set the toilet paper on fire?