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)
I read that students that were at Auburn when the Bear retired said that there was a celebration when he retired...not when he died. That makes a lot more sense. Dye was there by then and Auburn was beginning to win against Alabama. The Bear had our number.
Yesterday I heard Finebaum’s program and he played the tape several times. That guy was just filled with hate.
I started to Auburn before they were rolling the trees, but we still ran to Toomer’s to celebrate school victories that were not played at home. I lived in Alumni Hall my Freshman yesr. It is the building closest to J&M’s on College. I remember looking out of my window in ‘57 and watching the students snake dancing in the street. I don’t remember why the celebration but it was probably because of the National Championship. College was completely filled with students.
My father, husband, children, sister, in-laws went to Auburn and all have celebrated at Toomer’s. We are just sick.
Did Auburn celebrate when Bear died? NO! The following article shows the Auburn coaches and football players grieving over his death. I read a statement by one Auburn graduate that said he remembered the day and walked right by the area and there was no celebration or rolling of the trees.
Auburn did not celebrate and roll Toomer’s corner after Bear Bryant died. Repeating rumors and untruths is how this rivalry has become so vicious. You might remember Auburn celebrating Bear’s retirement. It was about a month before he died. Even Paul Finebaum vehemently denied that this took place.
Please read the following article.
http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2011/02/did-auburn-students-celebrate-bear-bryants-death-by-rolling-toomers-corner/
The Auburn coaches and football players were saddened by his death.
No, we did not celebrate Bear’s death. He was already retired! Thank you for posting the thread from the War Eagle Reader. I saw that last night and was going to do it today.
I am just sick about this, too. Frankly, Updyke is just a sick hating person. I’m glad he hurt the trees instead of a person but he must be very twisted. I wonder what the Texas State Troopers have to say about him and why he retired at age 62. It also seems to me that he has held this grudge for years and I wonder why he broke after this year’s Iron Bowl. We had not won the SEC at that point. Cam had not won the Heisman at that point and, of course, we had not become National Champs at that point. So, why then? Does he have a terminal illness and just think he has nothing to lose?
I was going to the “Tree Hug” on Saturday, but after listening to Dr. (?) Enloe at the press conference, I’ll stay away. He said it would be better to stay away.
It makes me sad that the trees which have graced the gates of Samford Park since the beginning of the school have been harmed. Countless numbers of students entered through the gates. Freshman, until the 70s, would defer walking through them because they hadn’t yet proved themselves worthy. They’ve been a beautiful entrance to a beautiful, graceful campus.
Sick, sick, person.
I would like to hear that explanation from Finebaum as well....He didn’t sound very disapproving in the clip I heard..
What did they say about not going to the tree “hugging” or whatever on Saturday? Are they worried it may cause additional damage or are they concerned about escalating tensions?
I could only hear a few minutes of the press conference due to slow internet ;(
They didn’t address it at the main presser but in the interviews afterward. Enloe indicated that we need to stay away from the trees and not cause pressure on the fragile root system. Many trampling in the area would indeed cause that pressure. The organizers of the gathering have suggested being nearby and hugging it each other ... to affirm the Auburn spirit as a family does when experiencing a loss.
The university has asked us to refrain from rolling the trees for the same reason. I didn’t hear this at the presser but understand the request was made yesterday afternoon.
I, too, am saddened by this senseless act. Only a deranged person would do such a vile deed. And for such an unbelievable reason! My daughter was an AU freshman the year Coach Bryant died and she said she had never heard of any rolling at his death.
Those stately old trees have many seedling “children” out there and I expect that strong youngsters will take their places.
Auburn will carry on and grow and prosper in spite of maniacs everywhere.
WAR EAGLE!!!
Boy, one thing I don’t want to be is a Finebaum “expert”. I heard him say “well, that’s fair” on the tape. However, I have heard him say other times that he didn’t believe that the trees were rolled when Bryant died. I can’t stand listening to his show, but sometimes I get drawn in.
Wow! I could not listen to that. I heard about two sentences - maybe. I do not know anybody who has such a limited vocabulary. Sheesh!
I arrived there just before noon. People were gathering but it was solemn. No one was outright weeping, although I was teary. It was a good size crowd. It was a typical crowd although we weren't festive and noisy like we usually are. If y'all had ever gotten there, you know what I mean. Everybody yelling, "War Eagle!", smiling, laughing, just hollering, even drinking, a regular street party. This was not like that.
People of all ages were there. Most of us were dressed in Auburn clothes. I wore a white AUMB Alumni shirt with our special logo on it. LionsDaughter (my daughter and fellow band member) went down later and there was a Bama guy there in his school colors. He was saying how sorry he was and expressing solidarity with us. I think he probably represents many Bama people. The obnoxious ones are the fans who very likely didn't even go to that campus. And don't bathe. But I digress.
The carillon at noon played War Eagle! One of the organizers made a speech and we said some cheers and sang the Alma Mater. After that, I took a few pictures. I went down the block a bit to the Flowersmiths and chatted with Ryan Pugh's aunt and her mom. Then, I dropped in at the very crowded Toomer's Drugs. I thought I heard my other daughter hard at work but it was so crowded I didn't see her.
Here are a few pictures:
That's all for now, folks. AU basketball is on, plus I need to work in my own garden. Only a few more pics will follow, but later.
Thanks for the report and the lovely photos... looks like it was a beautiful day. I couldn’t read the t-shirt -
Have you seen the logo of the AU within a tree top and the roots and it says “in our roots lies our strength”? I love it! I look forward to the other photos when you post them....
What kind of garden are you working on? (vegetable or flower)?
I have seen it. The bama fans took it, had it red with a big A where AU was. Have you seen the t shirts a bama fan designed with Free Updyke on the front? Several sites have them and I read that someone at bama were giving them away. Some AU fans have said they had better not see any where they live.
Flower and forest. My parents gave me this house but along with it came a lot of headaches. Partly, they stopped gardening about 13 years ago. Since then, the greenbriar has run rampant. Also, there is a lot of poison ivy. So, I’m doing quite a bit of cleanup. Plus, I want to get the vines off my azaleas before they open. My next-door-neighbor’s daffodils started blooming last Monday. My daffy’s aren’t open yet.
That t-shirt sounds familiar.
Thanks for the report.
The jonquils here in NW ga have shown themselves...but not their buds.
Auburn University has formed a task force to help save its famed Toomer's Corner oak trees, bringing together experts in horticulture, agronomy, civil engineering, forestry, chemistry and landscape services.
- The task force asks fans not to roll Toomer's Corner or walk in the bedding area, which could further harm the trees.
- On Friday afternoon, workers put a tarp over the bedding area to keep rainwater from going into the roots. A fence was constructed around the bedding area as well.
- Soil removal begins early next week, and more soil samples will be taken during the process to determine the concentration of the herbicide at different depths. A tent will be constructed over the dig area to contain dust.
- Civil engineers will install small cylinders to monitor the downward spread of herbicide.
Future actions will be based on results of these steps. Updates will be added to the Toomer’s Oaks webpage at www.auburn.edu/oaks as work continues.
My jonquils are up and I'm hoping they'll open in the next few days. My forsythia is swelling and I saw a quince in bloom this pm. I love spring.
I can think of so many literary examples to encourage you in reclaiming your garden. The Secret Garden (of course) but also An Episode of Sparrows by Rumer Godden. Have you read these?
Be careful with that poision ivy! Our daffodils are up but no buds yet.... if this warm weather stays it won’t be long...
I’m sure your azaleas will thank you when you remove the vines. Gardening is good for the soul (IMHO)
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