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LIVE VIDEO: Auburn Oaks At Toomer’s Corner Cut Down Today
April 23, 2013
The iconic oak trees at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn were cut down today, after being poisoned by a rival fan in 2010.
The twin, century-old oak trees have celebrated Auburn’s spirit with countless thousands of revelers who have engaged in the long-standing tradition of “rolling Toomer’s Corner,” a celebration occurring after every significant Auburn sports victory.
The university unveiled plans on Saturday for the redevelopment of the corner (pictured left, click to enlarge).
An arcing path design, set to be implemented in 2014 with the planting of two oak trees, was selected after a series of public workshops and an online survey in which more than 10,000 alumni, students, fans and friends provided opinions and ideas.
“We are unveiling the results of your ideas today,” said Bill Stone, Auburn Alumni Association president, who helped unveil an artist’s rendering. “I can tell one thing for certain: Live trees will be planted on the corner and the great tradition of rolling the corner will continue.”
Officials said the new design will place trees farther back from the intersection; maintain the existing and historic character of the corner; retain the 1917 gates in their current positions; add more seating and shaded areas; and include the planting of additional trees along a curved walkway through Samford Park.
Pictured below: The Auburn oaks at Toomer’s Corner were rolled one last time this past Saturday. Image courtesy Auburn University for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
14 Responses to “LIVE VIDEO: Auburn Oaks At Toomer’s Corner Cut Down Today”
As a BAMA fan I express my sincere condolences to the removal of these beautiful trees and symbols of Auburn War Eagle heritage. We all have deep affections for all sorts of traditional things we all hold dear and that symbolize the greatness of teams we love and respect. What better symbol of majesty, greatness, and longevity than an Oak Tree!? May the new Toomer’s Corner trees, once planted, prosper and continue to promote the long standing tradition of great football in the state of Alabama.
Yes, Fred, it was new, green growth….
As a life long, die hard Alabama fan I too would like to say that idiot didn’t represent anything but stupidity! It make me sick that anyone would go to the extent that he went. All schools and all teams should have their traditions. I truly hope all the new that AU is doing will live on for century’s more!! RTR
Just a little “tree anatomy”
TREES DIE FROM THE INSIDE OUT and weaken the structure of the tree therefore, making it VERY DANGEROUS to anyone!! As an Auburn alumni family member and a die hard fan as sad as it is –this was the right thing to do. I do not hold the “Alabama Fan Base” to one nut. No matter which team you are on you have “poor sport fans.” As far as Auburn “selling” the trees…it is part of our memories and I will buy one. Alabama sold things to keep Bear Bryant alive and I agreed with it 100%. The last thing I will say, is an Auburn Tiger today is a sad day in Auburn but a beginning of a new era. War Eagle!!
Free harvey, free harvey! Actually as a Bama fan i thought it pretty dumb and can’t see any rational person doing it.
@AllInAUFAMILY
I can’t tell for sure because of all the TP, but is that fresh green foliage on those supposedly dead trees?
I am an Auburn fan, cut me and I will bleed orange and blue, and these oaks are steeped in tradition for not just the University, but the citizens of Auburn and the State of Alabama, of which I am a citizen. I have lots and lots of friends that are Alabama fans and I live in a “house divided” and do not believe a single Bammer I know would entertain the thought of doing such a horrific act of vandalism. The saddest part of all of this is that these trees, over 50 years old, are still struggling to recover, have put on new growth the past two springs, and yet, Auburn wishes them cut down to make souvenir pens from them to go to the highest bidder. As an agricultural college, they should be more then willing to explore other avenues to prolong the lives of these majestic oaks, instead of giving up on them entirely too prematurely. It is a dark and sad day for the entire Auburn Family and I know I am not the only one who believes the “loveliest little village on the plain” will be much less lovely after today……
I foresee this as a money making memorial for Auburn University. What student, Alum, or fan would buy a sliver of one of the twin oaks for their memory box?
Don’t get me wrong the so called “Alabama Fan” that poisoned the twin oaks definitely needs some counseling and to do some time.
Go Hofstra University!!!
Just had to get my preference in there!
@ Really?
We need to give our community not only the bad news but the good news as well, to show that we are still living our lives. If you want to go to cnn and you can read about all the terror in the world.
Shoot me now…. In reply to “Rally?” There are other news worthy stories to follow as well. While the Boston bombings were a horrific, unthinkable act and very reportable, the Auburn Oaks is something that has a lot of ties to our local community. Most people don’t log on to Northescambia.com to catch up on national news, but to catch up on local news. While William has always done an excellent job of covering national news I would believe (in my opinion) his main goal and objective is to cover something with local ties. He covered the Boston news very well and just because he adds one article doesn’t mean it has more importance or is more reportable than another article. I’m sure you wouldn’t tune into channel 3 news if all they covered what was happening in California. The web page simply says “Northescambia.com News for Molino, Bratt, Walnut Hill, McDavid, Century & Cantonment”
Kudos to what you do William!
Thank you William
As a life long Alabama fan, I would like to go on record as saying that the man who piosoned these trees does not represent the average Alabama fan. His actions were not only stupid and immature, they were also repulsive. On a lighter side, maybe they should replace them trees with fig trees in hope of growing anouther Newton.
>>You find this more reportable than the Boston bombings?
No. We reported on the bombings, from a local angle. We are a local news site, and we report on very little national news.
In the case of the Auburn oaks, it is a story of local interest and local impact because thousands of local people attended Auburn, are Auburn fans (or even Alabama or other fans that care), or have kids at Auburn.
You find this more reportable than the Boston bombings?