Last Wednesday, the Auburn campus and the rest of the country got the horrifying news that the Toomer's Corner live oaks have been poisoned. Even though the university is doing everything that they can help the trees, it has been repeatedly confirmed that there is way too much herbicide in the soil to save the trees. Needless to say, the community is devastated. Rolling these trees after victories (which we have had quite a few of this year) is such a special part of being an Auburn fan, and it's hard to explain to someone not an Auburn fan how important these trees are to us.
But when I saw this banner hanging from ole Leischuck today, it was semi-frustrating 1) because "War Treegle" is embarrassingly corny and 2) because saving the trees themselves is ultimately not an option anymore. As hard as that is to admit and as much as I believe that a miracle could happen and the trees could somehow just choose not to die, it is more than likely that the Toomer's tradition will have to change drastically before a graduate.
However, the thing that is encouraging to me is that even though the trees may not last, the spirit and the community that you feel downtown on College and Magnolia Street after a win is not going anywhere. If anything, it will only be strengthened by this hard time in the midst of such an amazing year for Auburn. And whether we end up rolling all the other trees on Samford lawn or they put up bronzed trees on the corner (the university will do something) we will keep the spirit of the tradition alive!
So, yes, just this one time War Treegle!
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