It is very sad about the Oak trees at Auburn coming down, I think it's disgusting that someone would hurt an inanimate object...over meaningless football games. I for one love tradition and hope there will be something new that the fans can roll paper towels with.

I have been to Auburn and it is a wonderful nice cozy town.

Please do not think this "Alabama fan" represents the whole fan base. He should be in jail for life. Not only did he destroy the trees he put peoples lives in danger, for all we know the trees are above a water source that flows into peoples homes. 


Growing up I was never a sports fan and then eventually as I got older and interested in football, I started watching Auburn and Alabama football.. but was always told by other kids at school I had to "choose a side"...I always thought, that's silly, I can be a fan of whomever I want, as long as I don't flip flop back and forth.

Roll Tide! War Damn Eagle!  

Many thanks.  Here's to hoping all fans keep things under control and never take any of this stuff to far.

War Damn Eagle!   Roll Tide!

Sanctions (or anyone in the know), what are the plans for the corner? Are they going to replant trees or do something else? I sort of like the idea of building faux trees out of bronze (or something similar) like a statue or outside artwork. That would make it easier to clean up after rolling and the tradition could continue. If it was done right it could look very cool too. It wouldn't be cheap but they could fundraise for it and make it happen. Hell I'd donate a few bucks for it myself just to keep the tradition alive.

I saw someone say they will transplant full grown trees to the site but they will not be allowed to be rolled so the roots can settle in...the school will build something else the fans can roll until then.

I was reading where they might sell souvenirs made out of the old oaks as a fund raiser.    I think they are accepting ideas as to what to do with the corner after the trees are gone.   AU has a great Forestry school so I would just put them to work on ideas.

I know there are companies that can move huge trees and re-plant them.   Cost is up in the $30-40K or more per tree to do this.   They dig a massive trench around the tree and move a huge root ball.   I say do this and give the bill to Updyke.   AU gets the trees back,  Updyke pays...  we all move on.

This post was edited on 2/4 2:54 PM by Sanctions Stand

After Updyke sells his trailer, pickup and all the scrap metal in his front yard, it MIGHT pay for the digging of the trench. The aluminum from his Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans might pay one workers salary for a day.

I heard they might use the oak to sculpt a tiger; something really nice they could put on display but there would probably be plenty of wood to also make an eagle and still have enough to sell smaller sculpted items like you're talking about.

There is a guy in Titus, AL that is a master wood sculptor. Some of his work is simply amazing. He had a huge eagle at one point and he's also done a life sized gator and Bryant leaning on the goal post. He could certainly do some really cool stuff if called upon. Dude is an amazing artist.

I've heard a few things. The big obstacle with replacing them with new mature trees is the amount of Spike 80 or whatever it is left in the soil. Apparently they are monitoring it pretty closely to see how much washes away or decomposes. I have no idea how long it takes that stuff to break down but I imagine it takes a while. 

The problem with putting wood sculptures at the site is one of security. Idiots like setting fire to the trees and if you put wooden anything there, they'll try to burn that too. Which is a shame because that would be cool.