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  • 23
    Apr
    2013
    1:00pm, EDT

    Auburn fans' beloved oak trees cut down after poisoning

    Michael Chang / Getty Images

    The sun rises the morning that the live oak trees will be cut down by crews from the Asplundh tree service on April 23, 2013 at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Alabama.

    Michael Chang / Getty Images

    A member of the Asplundh tree service helps cut down an oak tree on April 23, at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Alabama.

    Dave Martin / AP

    Auburn University employee Dinah Decker, center, wipes tears from eyes as she watches as city workers cut down the poisoned oak trees at Toomer's Corner at the entrance to Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., on April 23.

    Auburn University removed the dying oaks at Toomer's Corner Tuesday morning, after they were poisoned by a rival fan shortly following the 2010 Iron Bowl. 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 chainsaws and heavy equipment to remove what's 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.

    -- The Associated Press

    Dave Martin / AP, file

    Fans roll the poisoned oak trees at Toomer's Corner one final time following Auburn's A-Day spring NCAA college football game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on April 20, 2013. The tradition of "rolling" the trees at Toomer's Corner following a win by the football team is coming to an end.

    Dave Martin / AP

    A photographer uses his cell phone to photograph the oak trees at Toomer's Corner at the entrance to Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Tuesday, April 23, 2013. City workers cut down the poisoned oak trees at the entrance to Auburn University.

    Follow @NBCNewsPictures

     

     

    6 comments

    Very happy to hear that the low-life scumbag P.O.S. looser who did this is in jail!

    Show more
    Explore related topics: sports, environment, auburn, us-news, tree, featured
  • 10
    Jan
    2011
    10:07pm, EST

    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    LaMichael James of the Oregon Ducks is brought down by Mike McNeil of the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona.

    BCS National Championship No.1 Auburn vs., No. 2 Oregon

    By James Cheng

    See more great images from this game here.

    Comment

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    Explore related topics: football, college, national, championship, oregon, auburn, bcs
  • 4
    Dec
    2010
    9:50pm, EST

    Oregon, Auburn to play in BCS title game

    You can read more about the matchup here.

    Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

    Quarterback Cam Newton of the Auburn Tigers celebrates after their 56-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome on Dec. 4, in Atlanta, Ga.

    Steve Dykes / Getty Images

    Wide receiver Josh Huff #4 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates on the field after the game at Reser Stadium on Dec. 4, in Corvallis, Ore. The Ducks beat the Beavers 37-20 to likely go on the BCS Championship game at the Tostitos Bowl on Jan. 10, 2011.

    Comment

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    Explore related topics: college-football, sports, tigers, ducks, oregon, auburn, bcs

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