ALLACCESS. com reports Auburn’s beloved oak trees at Toomer’s Corner are dying, poisoned by an unknown individual who may have revealed himself on Paula Finebaum’s regionally syndicated sports talk show. The school confirmed yesterday that the trees were poisoned with “little chance to save the trees,” according to the OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS.
The caller claimed to have placed herbicide Spike 80DF under the trees the weekend after the Auburn-Alabama game as revenge for Auburn students’ alleged celebration (by their traditional toilet-paper adornment of the oaks) after the death of Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.
Alabama athletic director Mal Moore issued a statement: “It’s an awful act, a terrible thing to do. A lot of what makes our two programs so special is our many unique traditions. So, hearing this about Toomer’s Corner is upsetting to me in several ways. I certainly hope that whomever is responsible is held accountable.”
The story has gone nationwide. San Francisco Chronicle: Alabama-Auburn Rivalry Reaches New Low: Tree Poisoning