Trees versus tradition: Live oaks threatened by clean-up

The beloved Live oaks at Toomer’s Corner have shown signs of new growth this spring, but may be unable to tolerate the longstanding Auburn tradition of “rollin’ Toomer’s” anymore, according to some specialists.

Saturday, specialists in the care of Live oaks from the regional office of Bartlett Tree Experts in Tucker, Ga., will evaluate the structural integrity of the trees, remove dead or damaged limbs, install cables to brace weak branches, break up compacted soil around the roots, add organic matter and fertilizer around the base and treat for insects.

“We hope to improve the condition of the Toomer’s oaks through this work,” said Auburn University horticulture professor Gary Keever. “These are not old Live oaks; if we can provide better growing conditions, they could live much longer.”

Auburn faithful, like Ralph Jordan Jr., son of legendary coach Shug Jordan and current president of the Alumni Association Board, want the trees to live as long as the tradition.
“There’s got to be a way to continue the tradition without damaging the tree,” he said. “That’s the challenge, of course.”

Keever, who is helping the AU Facilities Division develop a long-term care plan for the iconic trees, said the trees, except in recent years, when celebrants set it afire several times. The real harm occurs the morning after each celebration, when cleanup crews wash away the paper with high-pressure hoses, knocking off leaves and buds. This practice, coupled with the urban setting, puts additional stress on the trees, he said.

Post-celebration clean-ups in 2007 — nine including the Chick-fil-A Bowl victory in January 2008 — did its share of damage to the oaks, but Keever said the water inadvertently reached the trees’ roots during some of the driest conditions on record, which resulted in substantial new growth this spring.

It’s a great side effect, however the high-pressure wash is not the best way to water trees, Keever said, even during a drought. If football fans could find an alternative to draping the trees in toilet paper, the oaks could rapidly be restored to good health and a long life, he said.

“Good luck on that,” Jordan said.

AU foresters are growing young trees from acorns harvested from the Toomer’s oaks, but Cathy Love of AU Campus Planning and Space Management said replacement trees would probably not last long in that vicinity unless conditions change.

“If there were no change in the tradition of rolling Toomer’s Corner, we would have many of the same problems with new trees,” she said.

Love and Keever said various groups and individuals are looking for a long-term solution that would preserve both the trees and the tradition. In the meantime, they said the university is taking steps, such as Saturday’s makeover to improve growing conditions, which will close the intersection while crew works on the trees.

aweaver@oanow.com | 737-2534