Toomer's Oaks poisoned and dying

[trobinson97]

I've received an email from the anonymous OS General Manager. This was posted by one of Auburn's own last month (Link). And I quote....

Quote:

Toomer's Oaks are Fine(baum)- Just a Toilet Paper Overdose. I have been watching all the traffic related to possible poisoning of Toomer's oaks. I heard over the water cooler that someone called into the Paul Finebaum Show claiming they had poisoned the Toomer's oaks with the herbicide Spike. I was very skeptical, but I knew I could quickly determine if this was true. First, never passing up a teachable moment let me do some explaining. The herbicide in question is sold by the name "Spike", but the active ingredient, the chemical compound that actually kills the plants, is called tebuthiuron. Tebuthiuron is very specific in its action--it essentially blocks photosynthesis from occurring. It is very specific to plants and is safe to humans. With many herbicides, if one wants to tell if a plant has been purposely treated, one would take soil and leaf samples, extract the herbicide, and run it through some chemical analytical test to determine if the herbicide is present. This process can take weeks. But with tebuthiuron, since it specifically stops photosynthesis, a negative herbicide effect can be determined in a few minutes. So I took my handy, dandy handheld chlorophyll fluorometer up to Toomer's Corner, clamped it on a few leaves and checked photosynthesis. Everything is fine. It has been two months since the alleged poisoning, and there should be a reduction in photosynthetic activity-- and there is not. Just in case it occurred more recently, Auburn Horticulture has taken some soil and leaf samples for future analysis, if any damage ever appears. For now that is a moot point, the trees are fine, just a little beat up from all the toilet paper clean up. I will keep checking over the next few weeks just to make sure. To anyone who has had the idea of poisoning Toomer's oaks or killing your neighbor's tree that is blocking your satellite reception--you can easily be caught. Not only can one quickly measure photosynthesis of the plant, but the herbicide will last up to a year in the soil surface and a little longer in the killed plant. It will be very easy to catch you. - Scott McElroy, PhD Department of Agronomy and Soils Twitter: @auburnturf Posted by auburnturf at 11:16 AM

Key points bolded. With this type of herbicide the effects can be found within minutes. The dolt who called into Finebaum said he did it a week after the Iron Bowl last November, so yeah two months from that point.

There has been a lot about the water table being contaminated, putting people in danger. This expert (from Auburn) says the solution is very specific to plants, and not a danger to humans.

This expert (from Auburn) claims the only thing remotely hurting those trees are Auburn fans themselves with their tradition of throwing toilet paper in them.

Here is Mr. McElroy (nice name) himself:

Link to his bio in faculty section: Click Me

WTF, maybe it's this guy:

Link to HIS bio

Here's a screengrab of the blog post, just in case it's taken down:

Spoiler

Now, maybe somebody went back and poisoned them AFTER Dr. McElroy conducted his tests (which again, were done a day after the idiot caller told on himself, and two months after he said he did it). Maybe what is usually detected rather simply in minutes, just happened to take a month or four in this case. Maybe it was just a spin job by Auburn to deflect from the news of another NCAA investigation into Auburn's awesome recruiting (yes, another, separate from the Cam-gate investigation). Who knows?

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by trobinson97

I've received an email from the anonymous OS General Manager. This was posted by one of Auburn's own last month (Link). And I quote.... Key points bolded. With this type of herbicide the effects can be found within minutes. The dolt who called into Finebaum said he did it a week after the Iron Bowl last November, so yeah two months from that point. There has been a lot about the water table being contaminated, putting people in danger. This expert (from Auburn) says the solution is very specific to plants, and not a danger to humans. This expert (from Auburn) claims the only thing remotely hurting those trees are Auburn fans themselves with their tradition of throwing toilet paper in them. Here is Mr. McElroy (nice name) himself: Link to his bio in faculty section: Click Me WTF, maybe it's this guy: Link to HIS bio Here's a screengrab of the blog post, just in case it's taken down: Spoiler Now, maybe somebody went back and poisoned them AFTER Dr. McElroy conducted his tests (which again, were done a day after the idiot caller told on himself, and two months after he said he did it). Maybe what is usually detected rather simply in minutes, just happened to take a month or four in this case. Maybe it was just a spin job by Auburn to deflect from the news of another NCAA investigation into Auburn's awesome recruiting (yes, another, separate from the Cam-gate investigation). Who knows?

According to cnnsi the soil samples all contained a significant amount of the herbicide.

Not sure what the deal is. But if a Bama fan did do this I find it to be a little disturbing. I am all for rivalries and such but there's no excuse for this behavior (if it all really did happen). Nor do I understand peoples willingness to defend it no matter what their allegiance is.

In the end it's just a game. This kind of thing is over the line. If what is alleged to have happened really did.

[Mr5000]

The guy taking credit for this "Al from Dadeville" is one of Dadeville,Alabamas notable people over at wikipedia.

[fsquid]

looks like they arrested the guy. He looks like your usual Alabama resident, so no surprise.

[Mr5000]

Quote: Originally Posted by fsquid

looks like they arrested the guy. He looks like your usual Alabama resident, so no surprise.

Oh,did they? I was not aware.

[SteelersFreak]

Just some idiot redneck who thinks he's a hero for Alabama.

[AUChase]

Quote: Originally Posted by SteelersFreak

Just some idiot redneck who thinks he's a hero for Alabama.

Yeah, it's obvious he has some issues.

No need to blame Alabama or their fans for one guy's stupidity.

I do, however, think it's stupid to play the "it's just trees" card.

[jeremym480]

And the plot thickens....