Ever think that the college hockey rivalries in Boston would come down to poisoning historic plants on the opposing campuses? It doesn't seem likely, but when it comes to southern football rivalries, things can get pretty serious.
Harvey Almorn Updyke, 62, of Dadeville, Ala., was arrested for criminal mischief early Thursday morning, myfoxal.com reports. The mischief, according the investigators, included putting herbicide in the oak trees located at Toomer's Corner in the downtown Auburn area.
Updyke later admitted he was the anonymous caller on Paul Finebaum's Birmingham radio show where he also owned up to poisoning the trees on Jan. 27.
On Wednesday, Auburn confirmed that the legendary trees received a lethal dose of Spike 80df. The university quickly announced that horticulturists were trying everything they could to save the legendary trees, but their survival is not likely.
This isn't the first time spirited football fans have taken their rivalry feelings out on harmless plant life. In 2008, Georgia Tech fans broke off a few pieces off a hedge after winning at Sanford Stadium, exactly the same act Auburn teammates committed in 1983 at Georgia Tech, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
It is reported by University of Alabama that Updyke was never a student nor a season ticket holder at the university.
Fans are so upset that there was even a "Toomer's Tree Hug" Facebook event created, and is scheduled for all Auburn supporters on Saturday at 12 p.m.
