College rivalry hits ‘new low' with tree poisoning

College rivalry hits new low' with tree poisoning

Many students who receive their college education at prominent Division I athletic schools know that storied rivalries are part of the appeal of attending these institutions. However, the Iron Bowl football feud between the University of Alabama and Auburn University has garnered national attention for all the wrong reasons.

According to CNN, Alabama resident Harvey Updyke Jr. was arrested Thursday and faces criminal charges for allegedly poisoning 130-year old oak trees at Auburn. After every Tigers victory, students who are attending college classes at Auburn traditionally congregate at Toomer's Corner which is located on campus and pepper these famous trees with toilet paper. On Jan. 10, scholars enjoyed perhaps their most joyous celebration, "rolling" the trees after Auburn's national championship victory over Oregon.

Law enforcement officials have accused Updyke of infecting the Toomer's Corner landmarks with a herbicide that is commonly used to kill trees and brush. According to the news provider, the poisonings came to the police's attention after a man called into a Alabama-based sports talk show and admitted to committing the dirty deed.

"Let me tell you what I did the weekend after the Iron Bowl [the annual Auburn-University of Alabama game]. I went to Auburn, Alabama, because I live 30 miles away. And I poisoned the two Toomer's trees," a man, who identified himself as "Al" said on January 27, quoted by the media outlet. "They're not dead yet, but they definitely will die."

The day after the phone call, officials collected 33 soil samples from the trees and send them to experts for testing. The university recently found out that high levels of Spike 80DF a product that is commonly used to control vegetation or maintain bare ground were found in the samples.

The manufacturers of Spike 80DF and other experts have called Auburn to share removal tips. However, Stephen Enloe assistant professor of agronomy and soils at Auburn said that its "a very low probability" that the trees will survive.

The university alerted students about the poisoning on Wednesday, which prompted about 200 scholars to head to Toomer's Corner to "roll" the trees and chant school cheers.

The Washington Post's Cindy Boren said that this incident has taken the Iron Bowl feud to "a new low." Alabama athletic director Mal Moore condemned the poisoning in a written statement, calling it an "awful act" that puts a damper on the two schools' rivalry.

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