Auburn University removes poisoned oaks at Toomer's Corner
AUBURN, Ala. 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.
Crews on Tuesday morning removed the limbs of the landmark oaks and left stumps lying near piles of sawdust. The trees are all but dead after being poisoned by a University of Alabama fan.
Harvey Updyke Jr. is serving a jail term after pleading guilty to spiking the oaks with a powerful herbicide, and experts say they can't be saved.
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.