Auburn fans can now look forward to taking part in what may be the school’s most storied tradition.
Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts said he was happy that fans will be able to take part in the tradition once again.
“In recent years, we continued our cherished tradition by rolling different trees, but I am very excited that the Auburn family will once again be able to roll our most prominent trees,” he said.
The #Auburn Oaks are #ReadytoRoll again. @AuburnTigers @AU_Facilities
?: https://t.co/KEjoV1yNas pic.twitter.com/OYtL9QsVun
— Auburn University (@AuburnU) August 8, 2023
The rolling of the oaks on Toomer’s Corner after a big win started in the 1960s, when Toomer’s Drugstore had the sole telegraph in the entire city, making its employees the first to know the outcome of the school’s away games.
The original Auburn Oaks were planted between 1937 and 1939. They were eventually removed from the corner in April 2013 after being poisoned by Alabama fan Harvey Updyke in 2010.
A pair of oaks was planted in February 2015 but were eventually removed after one of the trees caught fire in 2016 after rolling resumed. However, both of the trees were damaged and removed.
The two oaks standing at Toomer’s Corner were planted in February 2017 and and were off limits for rolling until now.
“Both trees have made excellent progress since planting took place six years ago and are now considered to have recovered from transplant stress,” said Alex Hedgepath, Auburn University arborist. “Because of the Auburn family’s commitment, the trees are now established and can withstand rolling and cleanup efforts after Auburn athletic victories. With continued care, we expect the trees to grow vigorously and become further established.
“The Auburn Oaks are still under a near constant maintenance and growth program. If anything, the maintenance program for the trees will be even more intense as we combat the impact of rolling and soil compaction from rolling events.”
Justin Sutton, director of Facilities Management Landscape Services, credited fans for holding off on rolling the new trees until they were ready.
“We knew from the beginning it was a huge request to ask our fans to not roll the two new Auburn Oaks at Toomer’s Corner,” he said. “We knew this short-term request would reap long-term benefits in upholding one of the best collegiate athletic traditions of rolling Toomer’s Corner. The long-term establishment, overall health and projected long life of these trees was our goal from the beginning.
“With the help of the Auburn family, we feel as if we’ve reached this milestone.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
