The trees at Auburn

In or around 1877 some oak trees were planted at the intersection of College Street and Magnolia Avenue in Auburn.

This Auburn University picture of Toomer's Corner was taken in 1890.

Over time the trees grew and became the welcome to the campus of Alabama Polytechnic Institute.

More time passed and a tradition of rolling the trees with toilet paper after big football wins by Auburn University began.

This is Toomer's Corner after Auburn won the BCS Championship this year.

The weekend after the Iron Bowl some jerk head poured a strong poison around the trees with the intent to kill them, and then bragged about it on the Paul Finebaum radio show. Listen.



I am so glad that most, and I emphasize most, Alabama fans view this as a cowardly despicable act. But then there are some that are downplaying the incident on Facebook and elsewhere, with comments about them being "just trees" and worse.

Although I realize that this is an act by an individual, and that an individual in any state can do something stupid, this just goes to show you how hatred dominates our state.

When a football fan can brag about something like this, and respond with "Do you think I care," when asked if it is against the law to poison a tree, what are we to think. His hatred goes beyond the law. And over a game.

Oh I know he claims he is retaliating after something that happened 28 years ago, but still, its about a game.

And even if I were not an Auburn fan I would feel the same way. You don't go around destroying century old trees that are part of a tradition regardless of how you feel.

And, Mr. tree killer, you just gave the people in the other 49 states another reason to believe that the people of our state are backward uneducated rednecks.

Let me just say this. You can kill the trees at Toomer's Corner, but you can not kill the Auburn spirit. War Damn Eagle, Mr. tree killer.

THE AUBURN CREED

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.

I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.

I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.
-George Petrie (1945)