Auburn Fans Schedule Rally for Poisoned Historic Oak Trees

Police allege that Harvey A. Updyke, pictured above, deliberately poisoned the 130-year-old oak trees at Auburn University's Toomer's Corner (Auburn Police Division).

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Feb. 16: Toni Rich holds her son Gabriel, as students and supporters gather to pay tribute to live oaks at Toomer's Corner on the campus of Auburn University after word spread that the trees were poisoned recently. Toomer's Corner has long been a site where Auburn fans celebrate big wins, including the football national championship on Jan. 10 (AP).

Feb. 16: Students and supporters gather to pay tribute to live oaks at Toomer's Corner on the campus of Auburn University (AP).

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn fans have scheduled a rally for the poisoned oak trees at Toomer's Corner, where fans traditionally rally to celebrate big wins.

The "Toomer's Tree Hug" was approaching 8,000 confirmed guests on Facebook by Friday morning. It's scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the site where celebrations include rolling the trees with toilet paper.

Police charged 62-year-old Harvey Almorn Updyke Jr. with first-degree criminal mischief on Thursday for allegedly using a tree-killing herbicide to poison the oaks.

The Facebook page for the rally says there won't be any actually tree-hugging but "the hugs should be reserved for other members of the Auburn Family who need a shoulder in this painful time."

https://www.foxnews.com/us/auburn-fans-schedule-rally-for-poisoned-historic-oak-trees