OKieAuburnDoug 1 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Thanks for disgracing my home county!! He at least should get TPed daily! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AU alum 2 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I am so so so sorry. This honestly saddens me. It's one thing to take verbal jabs at each other and the occasional non-destructive jokes, but this is just off the charts dumb and sad. I can tell you that the majority of Bama fans do NOT condone actions like this. This guy does NOT represent who we fans are all about. I hope I don't get flamed here for this idiotic move by this person, but I felt the need to come and apologize. I hope they catch him! Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 15,105 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 ...last night people continued to pay tribute to Toomer's oaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 15,105 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 This picture is also worth reposting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyb 0 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 And The Whos Kept On Singing This whole thing with the Toomer's trees reminds me of the story of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". Perhaps "Al" aka Harvey Almorn Updyke, from Dadeville ought to read that book. The Grinch could no more steal Christmas by stealing the Whos' presents than "Al" can steal the Auburn Spirit by poisoning our Toomer's trees. Do you remember what happened when the Whos woke up and their presents were gone? I am sure they were upset at first but it just made them realize even more that the Christmas spirit isn't contained in boxes or bows-just as the Auburn Spirit isn't contained in those trees, so they still celebrated, and kept on singing. Spirit comes from and exists within, and no one, not even "Al" the Grinch, can take that away. In fact, hurtful and hateful acts only make the Auburn Spirit stronger because we realize how invaluable and intangible it really is. "And the toilet paper, the trunk, the branches and leaves, I'll bring it all down with poisoned disease. Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, all the fans down in Auburn will all cry BOO-HOO! That's a noise," grinned "Al" from Dadeville, "That I simply must hear!" So he paused. And the Grinch called "Al" put a hand to his ear. And he did hear a sound rising over the Plains. It started in low. Then it started to grow... But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry! It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY! He stared down at Auburn! "Al" popped his eyes! Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise! Every Tiger down in Auburn, the tall and the small, were still celebrating without any trees at all! He HADN'T stopped the Auburn Spirit from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same! And the Grinch called "Al" stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so? It came without paper or shakers or trees, it came without all these things indeed. And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore. Then "Al" the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Auburn's spirit" he thought, "means a bit more!" And what happened then...? Well...in Auburn they say that "Al" the Grinch's small heart hopefully grew three sizes that day, after of course, they locked him away!" War Eagle (internal shakers stirring and toilet paper flowing)! No Retaliation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUgrad00 7 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Lets remember the creed: "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." While we certainly may share things with each other we would not with opposing teams fans, the last thing we need it some idiot to go retaliate. If you love Auburn then you do not want to disgrace its name, we all need to take the high road on this deal and with Alabama people. All that said if this cat spends 20 years in jail I will not shed a tear. I pray the Oaks at Toomer's can be saved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 15,105 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Media gathers for annoucement of arrest in Toomer's Corner tree poisoning yfrog.com/gzmf6rmj@AUGoldMine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 15,105 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Have gotten some questions on my my initial blog post was removed. Response: http://auburnturf.blogspot.com/@auburnturf Auburn Tree Poisoning is for Real FIRST POINT: I posted on this blog in late January that I did not think the poisoning occurred. This was based on no negative photosynthesis readings and just my general feeling that no one could do such a thing. Let me say as clearly as I can, and as we all know now, I was wrong in my initial post. I have thus removed this initial post. From the information I have seen recently the trees have been poisoned and Auburn officials have taken steps to deal with this problem. FURTHER COMMENTS: As bad as we hate to admit it, the poisoning of Toomer's Oaks is real. My initial tests looking at leaf photosynthesis gave me the initial impression a poisoning had not occurred. My initial test was wrong. Everyone knew the hard work of soil sampling had to done. And what did the soil samples reveal? A dose of tebuthiuron, commonly known as the herbicide "Spike". Worst case scenario the trees will die. Best case scenario the trees will be disfigured to the point they have to be removed. But I have spoken with some weed scientists across the country and they say there is no telling what will happen. So, everyone can continue to hold your breath. For now that is my official stance-- It is difficult to predict what will happen. We well just have to wait and see. This is a terrible, disgusting act. Words cannot express the pain this person has brought upon the Auburn Family. Kudos to Gary Keaver, Stephen Enloe, and other involved with the soil testing to determine that the poisoning occurred. Excellent Auburn people dedicated to this situation. Scott McElroy, PhD @auburnturf @malherbologist http://auburnturf.blogspot.com/2011/02/auburn-treegate-is-for-real.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 15,105 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 If Harvey Updike is found guilty of poisoning Toomer's Corner trees, bet he'll get biggest herbicide sentence in US history@darrenrovell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 15,105 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 His fb pic (confirmed bammer)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 15,105 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Updyke's kids are named Crimson and Bear? You seriously can't make this stuff up.@barrettsallee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AU alum 2 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I'm trying to be the bigger person here. I don't want retalliation against the University of Alabama at large, and there is too much negativity around the Auburn-Alabama rivalry. But I can't help it, if this is the guy, I hope this a**hole's life goes downhill worse than it probably already is. I hope he goes to jail for a long time and if he is married or has a job, hope he loses the wife and the job. I hope he is a social pariah, that his kids lose any lingering shred of respect they had for him and most of all that he will truly realize what a terrible thing he did, that he made the world a worse place and that the knowledge of that will haunt him for the rest of his days. What a piece of garbage. He is unemployed but I think he's married. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey 15,933 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I live in Dadeville and I don't recall ever seeing this guy. Several years ago I had a job trying to help honest farmers settle their problems with the EPA. If those insane people at EPA are half as vigilant about this as they are about a farmer accidentally spilling a teaspoon of controlled substance on his back 40, ol' Harvey will be in the pen for some years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven_tiger 5 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 http://www.foxalabamalive.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bama My Heart 5 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 1989 Iron Bowl, Bama fans painted the side of a building red on campus......so it's not something they can argue. We have some young Live Oaks being grown that could be used to replace the ones we have now. I don't want UA to give us a thing! They had nothing to do with it and while I would appreciate the gesture; it isn't their issue to feel obligated. I know Auburn fans do not want anything from us at this time, but believe me, we do feel bad and want to help. Maybe the trees can be saved if all of that soil is removed and replaced. Maybe Bama can pay or help pay for this. We really don't know what to do at a time like this. I know it's like a death in the family, and words don't mean a lot right now, but please understand that this is one sick man and he does not in any way represent the fan base for the University of Alabama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetermary 6 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I'm surprised that it's only one count of criminal mischief. At the very least, 2 trees = 2 counts. I suspect the charges will be upgraded once the EPA gets involved. I heard about someone getting 9 years in jail for a similar incident. And if Harvey has any assets, there could be a civil case related to the cost of trying to save and/or replacing the trees. But I doubt AU wants his trailer. Dude, that's just the first of many federal and state charges this guy will be facing. The criminal mischief was an easy slamdunk charge to bring him in...this guy will be in a world of hurt. I'm certainly no expert, but it is my belief that this guy did more damage than you could imagine. The soil was poisoned so nothing will be able to grow there. I believe they will have to get a backhoe and remove the dirt and dump it in that guy's front yard. Seriously, alot of dirt will have to be removed and replaced. No telling how much money that will be. I don't care if the trees were in declining health. I feel really violated. You can cut a shirt off a statue. How do you replace a tree that might have been there during the civil war. Geez, what was this guy thinking??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetermary 6 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 1989 Iron Bowl, Bama fans painted the side of a building red on campus......so it's not something they can argue. We have some young Live Oaks being grown that could be used to replace the ones we have now. I don't want UA to give us a thing! They had nothing to do with it and while I would appreciate the gesture; it isn't their issue to feel obligated. I know Auburn fans do not want anything from us at this time, but believe me, we do feel bad and want to help. Maybe the trees can be saved if all of that soil is removed and replaced. Maybe Bama can pay or help pay for this. We really don't know what to do at a time like this. I know it's like a death in the family, and words don't mean a lot right now, but please understand that this is one sick man and he does not in any way represent the fan base for the University of Alabama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cammycam 0 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 amyb, can I use that who story? That's brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUgrad00 7 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Listening to the presser an Auburn expert and professor was choking up when he said its a low probability the trees will survive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 15,105 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 And The Whos Kept On Singing This whole thing with the Toomer's trees reminds me of the story of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". Perhaps "Al" aka Harvey Almorn Updyke, from Dadeville ought to read that book. The Grinch could no more steal Christmas by stealing the Whos' presents than "Al" can steal the Auburn Spirit by poisoning our Toomer's trees. Do you remember what happened when the Whos woke up and their presents were gone? I am sure they were upset at first but it just made them realize even more that the Christmas spirit isn't contained in boxes or bows-just as the Auburn Spirit isn't contained in those trees, so they still celebrated, and kept on singing. Spirit comes from and exists within, and no one, not even "Al" the Grinch, can take that away. In fact, hurtful and hateful acts only make the Auburn Spirit stronger because we realize how invaluable and intangible it really is. "And the toilet paper, the trunk, the branches and leaves, I'll bring it all down with poisoned disease. Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, all the fans down in Auburn will all cry BOO-HOO! That's a noise," grinned "Al" from Dadeville, "That I simply must hear!" So he paused. And the Grinch called "Al" put a hand to his ear. And he did hear a sound rising over the Plains. It started in low. Then it started to grow... But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry! It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY! He stared down at Auburn! "Al" popped his eyes! Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise! Every Tiger down in Auburn, the tall and the small, were still celebrating without any trees at all! He HADN'T stopped the Auburn Spirit from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same! And the Grinch called "Al" stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so? It came without paper or shakers or trees, it came without all these things indeed. And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore. Then "Al" the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Auburn's spirit" he thought, "means a bit more!" And what happened then...? Well...in Auburn they say that "Al" the Grinch's small heart hopefully grew three sizes that day, after of course, they locked him away!" War Eagle (internal shakers stirring and toilet paper flowing)! No Retaliation! Brilliant! Well said Amy. And Welcome to AUFAMILY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetermary 6 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I appreciate your post. I'm sure most Alabama fans feel the same way as you. I don't believe these nuts that call into the Finebaum show such as Shane, represent the average fan. We all have our nutty fans. The one that poisoned the trees (soil) obviously has lost all perspective. After the Iron Bowl, players from both teams were embracing. I have a brother-in-law whose happiness in life depends on the kind of season Alabama is having or had. He hasn't been very happy since Alabama's loss to LSU. He is no fun to be around. You have to feel pity for him. However, that being said, he would never have done what this guy did even if he knew he wouldn't be caught. Probably because he loves growing things and would have great respect for trees of that age. It's sad to think that someone's happiness in life depends on the outcome of a football season. We have several oak trees growing that came from those two trees. My son majored in forestry at Auburn. He got us several seedlings. I'm sure there are plenty of oak trees growing from those trees at Auburn already. Thanks for the offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 15,105 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 No specific plans to replace trees at Toomer's Corner. Auburn holding out hope they'll survive. Poison will be in soil 3-5 years@AUGoldMine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdc81 82 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I want everyone to pause and reflect. If you are a college sports fan and you name your offspring after a coach or player, if you miss a family function to attend a "game", if you make your self worth based on what others accomplish, if you pay more attention to your team than your occupation or family, if your daily attire is school garb,.... then you are a sick, sad person without a life. Biblically this is worshiping idols, from a psychiatric standpoint you have a personality disorder. Go home and hug everyone that would shed a tear or give a damn if you dropped dead today, when you go to work do the best you can achieve, wear a smile on your face and enjoy your neighbors and peers. After a hard week enjoy a sporting event and marvel and the results of hard work and dedication by these student athletes, tip your hat to the victors. If you can't fall asleep because of the outcome then go assist some downtrodden person in your community and you will feel fulfilled. Go to church on Sunday, give thanks and offerings for your goood fortune and get up early Monday and do it all over again. Litttle Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 15,105 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 15,105 Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 CNN reports the story... http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/16/alabama.auburn.trees/index.html# Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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