Auburn Football: What Would Toomer's Corner Trees Say About the Tradition?

Last week, Auburn President Jay Gogue stated that the Toomer's Corner live oak trees may not be around much longer.

Nobody was a winner when Alabama football fan Harvey Updyke took out his frustration by poisoning the innocent trees of Toomer's Corner.

The law should penalize this individual to its full extent as an example to show that trees are just as protected as human and animal rights.

Auburn has some of the best traditions in the country. The soaring of the eagle while fans chant "War Eagle" is a unique sight in college football. PETA has publicly criticized this tradition, stating that it abuses animal right in human sporting events. However, I haven't seen a better display of honor, respect and admiration for eagles in any other opportunity to watch them spread their wings.

There is also the tiger walk, a time where the players draw their energy from the fans' greetings and cheers as they head to Jordan-Hare Stadium.

But the tradition of rolling the live oak trees in Toomer's Corner never seemed to be a win-win for the fans and the trees. These trees have been there through decades of Auburn's history. One could call them Auburn's oldest student, and it seems a shame that they may not make it through this scandal.

But what would the trees say about the welfare of their replacements? See this link about Auburn University's options:

Two out of the five choices are about replacing the trees with something not living for rolling. The truth of the matter is that the trees would not want to be rolled.

Would you want to be rolled after a victory of the school that you graduated from? It seems more likely that the opposite team would have rolled your house once they have beat you.

Also, would you feed a live chicken some Popeye's chicken? Because it is about the same insult to roll these trees with toilet paper made from other trees—at great cost to forests.

On top of that, the trees are on their deathbed. They deserve a funeral instead of a discussion about how to treat their replacements.

What do you think?