Harvey A. Updyke Arrested for Deliberate Poisoning of Historic 130 Year Old Oak Trees at Auburn University’s Toomer’s Corner

Once again we ask, what is wrong with some people? Talk about taking a football rivalry and Roll Tide way too far.

Harvey A. Updyke, a 62 year old Alabama man has been arrested for willfully, purposely, intentionally deliberately and with malice for forethought poisoning the 130 year old historic oak trees at Auburn University’s  Toomer’s Corner. War Eagle fans have long celebrated victories at Toomer’s Corner by “rolling” toilet paper into the trees. Updyke was arrested on one count of first-degree criminal mischief. His bond was set at $50,000. Updyke could face one to 10 years in prison, if convicted. What kind of a putz must one be to do such an act. The thought, get a life comes to mind.

Harvey A. Updyke, (Auburn Police Division)

The Auburn Police Division said Thursday that Harvey A. Updyke, of Dadeville, Ala., was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal mischief. Police allege Updyke deliberately poisoned oak trees at Toomer’s Corner with a commonly used herbicide, applied in “lethal amounts” to the soil around the two trees.

The 130-year-old trees likely cannot be saved, officials said.

An individual called into the Paul Finebaum Radio Show (listen to radio comments here)  and stated that the weekend after the Iron Bowl, he went to Auburn, Al and poisoned the Toomer’s trees. Obviously Bama lost to Auburn in this years Iron Bowl in a major way. The man referred to himself as “Al from Dadeville.”  He said he used Spike 80DF,and that the  trees “definitely will die.” The fool then signed off with, “Roll Damn Tide.”

Video from the Rolling of Toomer’s Corner from 2007, Auburn v. Florida

Fans Gather to Roll Toomers; One Last Time?

An Auburn University professor stated that saving the Oaks was highly unlikely. Meanwhile the University of Alabama tried to distance themselves as fast as possible from Updyke stating that he never attended the university nor was a a ticket holder. One really has to wonder whether there will be a retaliation for this crime against Auburn tradition. A word of warning to those in Tuscaloosa, they better put a sentry on the Paul Bear Bryant statue.

UPDATE I : Thousands Gather to Mourn Historic Trees in Rally at Auburn’s Toomer’s Tree Hug”.