You Can't Kill Our Tradition

The future of Toomer's oaks has been decided this week. If the current oaks should die, they will be replaced with large trees and a temporary structure will be used to celebrate victories until their roots take hold. 
 

This decision was recommended by The Committee to Study the Future of Rolling Toomer's Corner after thorough research, surveys and consulting their experts. President Jay Gogue accepted the committee's recommendation this week, and the process will be soon. 

The committee surveyed more than 1,200 alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of Auburn University in December about their preference for the future of Toomer's Corner. The survey offered four options: plant small oak trees; plant large oak trees; move the rolling tradition to a permanent structure in the intersection at Toomer's Corner; or design an artificial structure that would be located at the current site of the oaks. 

Based on survey results and the expertise of the committee's members, the committee proposed to replace the current oaks with large trees. Live oaks are not native to this area, so they might consider a different species. They are looking for an attractive and long-living tree to enhance the character of the Auburn campus. 

The Toomer's oaks are not expected to survive the end of this year. Auburn horticulture and forestry experts will evaluate the current oaks' condition this spring. Significant changes in the trees cannot be seen until spring when the trees begin to put forth a new leaf growth. A timetable will be developed to replace them after their evaluation. 

Debbie Shaw, vice president for alumni affairs and committee chair, said after reviewing the comments, it is clear that the tradition of rolling Toomer's Corner must continue. The passion Auburn fans have about their tradition surpasses the trees themselves. 

"I'm happy to tell the world that you can kill our trees, but you can't kill our tradition," says Courtney Gams, a senior communication major at Auburn University.

The rolling tradition will continue this fall whether the trees survive or not. Even if the trees die, their roots will still be strong enough to endure the rolling during this upcoming football season. 

While the new trees are taking root, a temporary structure will be used for celebrating victories. Once the new trees' roots are strong enough to sustain rolling, the temporary structure will be removed.