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Auburn U's 130-Year-Old Oak Trees Are Poisoned

Alabama fan charged, and trees may not survive

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff | Suggested by ekwhaley88

Posted Feb 17, 2011 5:01 PM CST

(Newser) – A 62-year-old man has been charged with criminal mischief in a crime that cuts to the heart of Auburn University. Harvey Updyke Jr. allegedly poisoned the 130-year-old oak trees at Toomer's Corner on the edge of campus that serve as mascots of sorts for the school. Generations of students have covered the trees in toilet paper after sports wins, and now horticultural experts say they might not survive, reports Al.com.

Updyke was arrested after a caller to a local radio show boasted that he had poisoned the trees, notes CNN. A lethal herbicide was then found in the soil. The caller didn't offer a motivation, but said he had done it after the Iron Bowl—an annual game between Auburn and rival Alabama. Updyke's Facebook page had a picture of him wearing an Alabama hat. For a roundup of less serious stunts related to college rivalries, click here.
An undated photo provided by the Auburn Public Safety Department shows Harvey Almorn Updyke Jr., 62, of Dadeville.
An undated photo provided by the Auburn Public Safety Department shows Harvey Almorn Updyke Jr., 62, of Dadeville.   (AP Photo/Auburn Public Safety Department)
Crews work to remove toilet paper from one of two poisoned oak trees before spraying the leaves with a coating at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011.
Crews work to remove toilet paper from one of two poisoned oak trees before spraying the leaves with a coating at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011.   (AP Photo/ The Birmingham News, Michelle Campbell)
Crews work to remove toilet paper from the two poisoned oak trees before spraying the leaves with a coating at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011.
Crews work to remove toilet paper from the two poisoned oak trees before spraying the leaves with a coating at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011.   (AP Photo/ The Birmingham News, Michelle Campbell)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 19 comments
Communist.Fool
Feb 18, 2011 7:35 AM CST
Typical fucking inbred cross-eyed redneck who thinks "he is doin some REALLL good shit for the community and makin the State of Alabama proud." Though it is still a tree this is fucking pathetic
kokuaguy
Feb 18, 2011 5:13 AM CST
This senseless crime is right up there with the most heinous acts of Michael Vick, imho. "I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree ...."
passinthru
Feb 18, 2011 4:35 AM CST
jack ass. way to go moron. i hope you serve time.

 
trees • poison • Auburn • Auburn Tigers • poisoning

 
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