An Auburn Tradition

As everyone should know by now, an Auburn family tradition might be lost. After every winning game the Auburn fans make their way to Toomer's corner and roll the big oak trees. It is a tradition that has gone one for many, many years. Sadly, a disgruntled Alabama fan decided after the Iron Bowl that he would ruin our famous tradition and poison our beloved trees with  Spike 80DF, a tree-killing herbicide also known as tebuthiuron, which is a poison used commercially to kill trees and shrubs. The oaks were given such a letal dose that it is unlikely they will survive. All is not lost just yet as crews work to try and save our 130 year old live oaks. Many of the Auburn fans gathered this past weekend to show their love and support for this wonderful tradition.

Funny thing, the guy who poisoned the trees, Harvey Almorn Updyke Jr., cannot seem to keep an attorney to represent him in this case due to conflict of interest. Two attorneys have already been released and the third has petitioned the court to be released. I wonder if this guy knew what he was getting into when he did this horendous act? Most likely, it never crossed his mind.......I really feel sorry for someone who has so much hatred in their heart. Football is a great sport. I love watching college football in the fall. My question is, what do we do when a rivalry has gone too far? Every team has a bad seed. Every team has fans that go way overboard. But we must remember that it is just a game and it is meant to be fun. We must not let a game consume our lives. Harvey (Al), when you mess with history and nature you must pay and pay you will. May God hear the prayers that are being sent up to save these beautiful trees and a historic marker. It may not be the most inportant thing in the world, but these trees mean so much to so many.

On a side note, I would like to commend Alabama fans for understanding our sadness and shock and supporting the Auburn Tigers. I hear that Auburn University and Alabama will be planting two live oaks on each campus in honor of our Toomer's corner live oaks. Maybe this event has helped both teams realize that even though we are rivals that we do not have to be hateful to show support of our teams. War Eagle!

XOXO Pamela