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Auburn fans' beloved oak trees cut down after poisoning

A photographer uses his cell phone to photograph the oak trees at Toomer's Corner at the entrance to Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Tuesday, April 23, 2013. City workers cut down the poisoned oak trees at the entrance to Auburn University.
A photographer uses his cell phone to photograph the oak trees at Toomer's Corner at the entrance to Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Tuesday, April 23, 2013. City workers cut down the poisoned oak trees at the entrance to Auburn University.Dave Martin / AP
By PhotoBlog
The sun rises the morning that the live oak trees will be cut down by crews from the Asplundh tree service on April 23, 2013 at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Alabama.
The sun rises the morning that the live oak trees will be cut down by crews from the Asplundh tree service on April 23, 2013 at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Alabama.Michael Chang / Getty Images
A member of the Asplundh tree service helps cut down an oak tree on April 23, at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Alabama.
A member of the Asplundh tree service helps cut down an oak tree on April 23, at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Alabama.Michael Chang / Getty Images
Auburn University employee Dinah Decker, center, wipes tears from eyes as she watches as city workers cut down the poisoned oak trees at Toomer's Corner at the entrance to Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., on April 23.
Auburn University employee Dinah Decker, center, wipes tears from eyes as she watches as city workers cut down the poisoned oak trees at Toomer's Corner at the entrance to Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., on April 23.Dave Martin / AP

Auburn University removed the dying oaks at Toomer's Corner this morning, after they were poisoned by a rival fan shortly following the 2010 Iron Bowl. Harvey Updyke Jr. is serving a jail term after pleading guilty to spiking the oaks with a powerful herbicide, and experts say they can't be saved. Workers used chainsaws and heavy equipment to remove what's left of the once-lush hardwoods at Toomer's Corner. Auburn fans traditionally roll the trees with toilet paper after a big victory, and tens of thousands rolled the trees after the spring football game last Saturday.

-- The Associated Press

Fans roll the poisoned oak trees at Toomer's Corner one final time following Auburn's A-Day spring NCAA college football game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on April 20, 2013. The tradition of
Fans roll the poisoned oak trees at Toomer's Corner one final time following Auburn's A-Day spring NCAA college football game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on April 20, 2013. The tradition ofDave Martin / AP, file
A photographer uses his cell phone to photograph the oak trees at Toomer's Corner at the entrance to Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Tuesday, April 23, 2013. City workers cut down the poisoned oak trees at the entrance to Auburn University.
A photographer uses his cell phone to photograph the oak trees at Toomer's Corner at the entrance to Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Tuesday, April 23, 2013. City workers cut down the poisoned oak trees at the entrance to Auburn University.Dave Martin / AP
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