Posted on 02/16/2011 3:47:00 PM PST by Jemian
AUBURN – Auburn University today confirmed that an herbicide commonly used to kill trees was deliberately applied in lethal amounts to the soil around the Toomer's Corner live oaks on campus, and there is little chance to save the trees. More information and ongoing updates as to treatment and prognosis are available on this site.
The City of Auburn Police Division is investigating the situation, and the application of this herbicide, known as Spike 80DF, or tebuthiuron, is also governed by state agricultural laws and the Environmental Protection Agency. The university does not use Spike herbicide. There is no reason to suspect any human danger from the herbicide, which manufacturer Dow Chemical says should be applied with proper clothing protection; a typical use of the herbicide is to kill trees along fence lines.
The university learned that a caller to The Paul Finebaum Show, a nationally syndicated radio show based in Birmingham, on Jan. 27, claimed he had applied the herbicide. As a precaution, soil samples were taken the next day and sent to the Alabama State Pesticide Residue Laboratory on campus for analysis. Due to a small fire that occurred in the Alabama lab in December, the tests were sent to the lab at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Miss., to expedite results.
The lowest amount detected was 0.78 parts per million, described by horticulture experts as a "very lethal dose." The highest amount detected was 51 parts per million, or 65 times the lowest dose. Experts believe a normal application by itself would have been enough to kill the trees, which are estimated to be more than 130 years old.
"We are assessing the extent of the damage and proceeding as if we have a chance to save the trees," said Gary Keever, an Auburn University professor of horticulture and a member of Auburn's Tree Preservation Committee. "We are also focused on protecting the other trees and shrubs in Samford Park. At this level the impact could be much greater than just the oaks on the corner, as Spike moves through the soil to a wide area." Additional tests are being completed to determine the movement and extent of the area affected, Keever said.
The removal process involves digging trenches and applying activated charcoal to absorb the herbicide from the soil and block its progress. A representative from Dow Chemical, which manufactures the herbicide, is advising the university on removal procedures, and expert horticulturalists are also being consulted.
"We will take every step we can to save the Toomer's oaks, which have been the home of countless celebrations and a symbol of the Auburn spirit for generations of Auburn students, fans, alumni and the community," said University President Jay Gogue.
Gogue asked members of the Auburn Family to "continue to be 'All In' in upholding its reputation for class" and not allow anger to be expressed inappropriately or undeservedly.
"It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism," Gogue said. "However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our Auburn Creed. Individuals act alone, not on behalf of anyone or any place, and all universities are vulnerable to and condemn such reprehensible acts."
Because the application of the herbicide is being investigated, no details about the investigation can be released. Anyone with information can contact the Auburn Police Division at (334) 501-3110 or anonymously by voice or text on the tip line at (334) 246-1391.
CONTACTS FOR MEDIA:
Mike Clardy, (334) 844-9999 (clardch@auburn.edu), or
Deedie Dowdle, (334) 844-9999 (ddowdle@auburn.edu)
They need to use the information from his call to the radio station to find this cretin, and bring charges. Lots of them.
SEC Bump
Tatt
Good. Please let us know what comes of this, FRiend.
Tatt
Jus heard on WANI out of Opelika has announced officially that an arrest has indeed been made. Press conference later this morning.
It’s funny to hear an auburn fan call Bama fans “kooky”. Talk about pot calling the kettle black. It is funny to me that I have been on every Bama site tonight & most are comdemning the act. Most football fans in the country hate aubarn after this years shenanigans so it could be have been anyone. I didn’t hear the auburn “family” condemn the vandalism of Coach Saban’s lake house. I also remember the way barner fans were celebrating and rolling toomers corner after Coach Bryant died. Typical hypocritical barner behavior. You can dish it out but you cannot take it. I don’t condone this action but truthfully the obnoxious hateful auburn “family” caused the hatred that we see between the teams. The auburn “family” is more like the Manson Family.
Funny statement coming from an auburn cult member. I have never seen a fanbase so similar to a cult like auburn’s. I don’t agree with what was done to the trees. I only hope a crazy barner doesn’t try to kill Coach Saban or one of our players. There are some crazy enough. That said I hope the culprit is caught and punished.
You seem to be a classy individual. I am sorry about what happened to the trees. The culprit should be caught and punished just as the culprit who vandalized Coach Saban’s lake house should be punished. I admit I have bitter feelings toward auburn fans because of my experiences with them. I remember the jublilation & the celebrations after the death of Coach Bryant. I think the internet has ramped up the hatred between the fanbases.
Oh I am so glad! I hope I can find a link to the press conference...
I read on the Facebook support Toomer’s Oaks link it was Harvey Updike... I’m sure we will find out all about Harvey in the coming days....I was going to suggest yesterday that there are enough Auburn fans who would volunteer to track down every known sale of that pesticide in Alabama.
Which brings up a question.... Why do they not regulate the sale of something that could be so devastating ? I read that they are concerned about the spread to all of the azaleas and other trees across the entire park area. There was mention of it leaching into the water table of the city...It sounds like something that should only be sold to bonded, responsible people - not some crazy man from Dadeville or Mobile or wherever Harvey lives now...
Keep me posted! Praying for The Master Gardener to reach down and perform a miracle for our dear old trees!
Thank you for your compliment to me. I’m afraid that it is the obnoxious fans which get the publicity and taint the impressions. I was in the band and I remember going to one school where old ladies would shoot birds at us as our busses went through town. Another school was were some people threw rotten fruit at us. When we went to play another school, we ladies were advised not to go outside our hotel rooms without a male escort and when we marched into the stadium, the ladies were placed in the middle of the band with our bigger guys on the perimeter. None of these schools were Bama. But that is the impression of the schools that I received. Sad, isn’t it.
This is the first I’ve heard about celebrations when Bear died. That saddens me immensely. I’ve seen that y’all have stepped up your security around Bryant-Denny. That is wise and I am glad. Has the vandal been caught yet? I agree with you that it is a crime and he should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. We are on the same side.
This person was not from y’all. He probably never went to Bama and no one in his family probably ever went to college. I am waiting for the press conference and will report on it when I can.
Harvey Updike? No wonder he is a bitter old man.
Sorry, but I went to MSU. As a person, I find this a very kooky act. If you had read the comments by bama fans on the newspaper sites and sports sites like I have, you would have the same opinion. I live in a city which raised thousands of dollars to save a dogwood tree which was 100 years old. It would have been in the middle of a road when it was widened. It was moved to The Botanical Gardens where it is the star when it blooms. People go there to have family pictures made. I do support AU since my friend played there. After putting up with bama fans here, I was just glad that he did not play for bama. Until we met, I did not even keep up with football and could not tell anyone what kind of seasons State had much less any other team. I had more important things on my mind like the deaths of a daughter, brother, husband, mother, and about 30 other relatives in about 38 months. So, yeah, this wax a very kooky act For anyone to have this much hatred for another team, is sick.
You would have me dead wrong as being an “Auburn cult member”. Don’t get me wrong, I love Auburn, but I also like Alabama to win . . . except when they play Auburn. And college football is my favorite sport to watch. My son played HS ball with several young men who played at Alabama and we know others. I played three sports in HS and one in college. I love the game and what it can teach about discipline, commitment and achieving excellence.
It never ceases to amaze me how so many people have absolutely no life or interest outside of Alabama or Auburn football. I was ridiculing the crazies . . . on both sides. Typically, these are people who never played, but whose lives are wrapped around following their team, even though they have no real stake in the outcome . . . other than a self-awarded right to have a condescending attitude toward other people over whom they feel a temporary sense of superiority . . . sorta like you.
:o(
We will replant, we will recover and we will roll again!
WAR EAGLE!
Yeah, I hear they play "Son of a preacher man" before the Iron bowl too.
Here is your classy fans...
condemning>comdemning
Yes most Bama fans are not openly celebrating this, but quite a few are.
PS. Even Paul Finebaum shot down the bullcrap about rolling Toomers after Bear died.
Have you seen the t shirt on cafe press which a bama fan designed? It says Free Updyke and underneath it says “ It’s only a tree”. No further comment.
Sorry. I grew up a Penn State fan and Bammers were obnoxious to us too. It runs deep in them.
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