Toomer's oaks' future to be decided next week

John Wild-Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau The Toomer’s Corner oaks were rolled throughout the 2011 season, but will not be rolled for spring sports.

Blanketing the Toomer's Oaks with toilet paper to celebrate at Auburn University is a tradition being put on hold until the proper recommendations are rolled out next week.

The university gave a survey in early December with 1,232 total responses in return on what should be the fate of TP'ing Toomer's Corner after the poisoning of the Live Oaks in late 2010.

The "Future of Rolling Toomer's Corner" committee, appointed by university president Jay Gogue, is currently compiling the responses to be presented at their next meeting Jan. 17.

"From a review of the comments received, it is clear that the rolling tradition at Auburn University must never end, and that it remain in the vicinity of Toomer's Corner," said Dr. Debbie Shaw, Vice President of Alumni Affairs. "Over a thousand people took the time to read the survey, study the options, and relay their feelings.

"Every single email was read. The passion of many of those responding was intense and people just love Auburn, especially the tradition of rolling Toomer's Corner."

Shaw is the chair for "Future of Rolling Toomer's Corner" committee.

The committee is made up 25 individuals, representing students, alumni, faculty and the city.

It has met twice with a sub-committee meeting several times in between to develop the survey on AU's webpage, according to Shaw.

"The committee felt it was very important to request input from stakeholders, students, alumni, faculty and representatives from the City of Auburn," Shaw said. "The options presented were provided by president Jay Gogue, which were the result of a year's worth of comments received (the top choices).

"He asked the committee to make an 'informed and educated' recommendation after hearing from the stakeholders (survey) and consulting with campus tree experts and city representatives."

The oaks have not been rolled since Auburn University's Chick-fil-A bowl victory over Virginia on New Year's Eve, according to the Foy information desk.

The Toomer's Corner Live Oaks are estimated to be 130 years old with the rolling tradition starting in the 1950s to celebrate road victories.

"Rolling the Corner," as of recent years has become a way to celebrate anything positive that happens concerning Auburn.

On Jan. 27, 2011, "Al from Dadeville" called the Paul Finebaum sports talk radio show claiming to have poisoned the beloved trees following the 28-27 Auburn Tigers' victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2010 Iron Bowl.

"From many of the comments received, it is clear Auburn people are ready to move on; It is no longer about Harvey Updyke. It is about the direction we will go in continuing a very important Auburn tradition," Shaw said.

"If anything, Auburn people have bonded more closely together over this issue. Grudges of how the trees were poisoned are being put aside in order to move forward in planning the future of continuing the great tradition."

This poisoning has proven to be true and the oak trees have rapidly declined in health.

The trees are currently dormant this time of year.

"I don't really expect us to see any real significant change in the trees until at least spring when they try to re-flush (blossom new leaves)," said Dr. Gary Keever, Toomer's Corner task force leader and Auburn University horticulture professor. "At that time one or both of the trees may not have enough stored energy to port a new set of foliage.

"If that happens it is just a matter of time before the trees will essentially be bare and die."

If the oaks do support the new foliage come springtime their fate will still be uncertain and the thin canopy of the trees going into the fall was a strong indicator they don't have much energy stored.

Efforts have been made to cleanse the Toomer's Oaks of the herbicide, Spike 80 DF, but that particular chemical compound will not completely breakdown for five to seven years, according to Keever.

"There is a good chance the trees won't survive," Keever said. "But there was a case in 1989 of the poisoning of another Live Oak in Houston, Texas where two-thirds of the tree's canopy died before it completely recovered and that tree is still alive now."

Keever's personal opinion of what to do about the rolling tradition is to keep it alive and well.

"I am a horticulturist. I work with trees and like having live things on campus," Keever said. "I like of idea of the celebration moving back to the intersection downtown where it began originally and set up a structure there whether it is cables or some other means.

"At some point if the trees do die then we will replace them whether it be with small trees or large trees."