Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Harvey Almorn Updyke Jr. is SUCH a Jerk!

I don't know the guy, but I know ABOUT him ... he's the fool that decided it would be a good idea to deliberately poison the 130-year-old oak trees at Toomer's Corner! I have seen a lot of photos of him, but I won't post any ... the man seriously creeps me out, and I just don't want to look at him again.


Toomer's Corner at Auburn University
 You see, it turns out that he didn't like it when the University of Alabama lost the 'Iron Bowl' to Auburn last November. Updyke called a syndicated radio show at the end of January and said he had poured Spike 80DF herbicide on the historic trees at Toomer's Corner, where fans have long celebrated big wins and hundreds gathered after the Tigers won the football national championship on Jan.10th.

Auburn took soil samples and found that not only did he use a lethal dose, but that this particular herbicide is extremely active and persistent - It's very likely to be in the soil for 3 to 5 years. Updyke was charged with one count of first-degree criminal mischief and, if convicted, could face one to 10 years in prison. Personally, I'm betting he gets Community Service and a fine of about fifty bucks.


"It's not looking good, but we're doing what we can to give the trees a fighting chance."

 I'm not to  thrilled with Auburn U either. They haven't exactly done right by their supposed 'iconic' oak trees! 

The trees are fragile to begin with and being party magnets doesn't help. According to al.com, they are well north of their usual range, they're on a busy street corner, and they're regularly covered in toilet paper (after the game against Georgia, someone set fire to the TP). "We stress them even more when we light them on fire and vehicles run into them," Keever said. "We use fire hoses to blow the toilet paper off them and that blows off a lot of buds."

Some way to treat an ICON!


After this year's game against Georgia, someone set fire to the TP!!!

I happen to be a big fan of trees. I think it was about the time I ran across the poem by Joyce Kilmer in English class that I began to appeciate how special they are.  They may be inanimate objects, but they are living breathing objects. Yes . . .  breathing for usEver heard of Photosynthesis?

I felt disheartened when I heard the news story about those huge old trees at Auburn. I had no idea that you could literally 'murder' a tree, but there is something disturbing about that. Trees seem sort of spiritual to me. Ever reaching toward the heavens and growing so old and wise. They have witnessed so much of human history in this world! Sadly, this incident was not one of our shining moments ...


One of my all-time favorite poems ...






34 comments:

Sewinggranny - Mona said...

I love trees too...my front yard is full of them - I may not care much for them come October when I have to rake their leaves!

bountyofbeads said...

The beauty and the history that he tried to destroy over something so silly. Hopefully enought publicity such as this will get him the punishment he truly deserves.

Denise Therese said...

I love trees. Tall, strong, and they have the best roots to snuggle up in between!

magdamagda said...

Such beautiful trees and such a sad story...

Linda B said...

That's such a beautiful tree. It's a shame.

New Hampshire Gardener said...

I understand your horror, people really do not appreciate the beauty of ancient trees.
I live in a house built in 1796, the settlers who built the house planted a row of sugar maples which now protect us from western winds and add grace to our property.
I had a man from a satellite internet company come by and suggest that we chop down a tree or two for western satellite reception. My poor husband nearly fell off his chair.

Kelly said...

That is a lovely poem.

I actually lived in Auburn in '97-'98. Football is definitely THE major event there. This man's actions are absolutely despicable! Senseless destruction of natural, aged beauty. I hope he gets more than a slap on the wrist. (galeaz glass)

Unknown said...

Poor trees! I can't believe someone did that to them, and that they are taken such poor care of to begin with.

Terra Verde said...

I heard about that on the news! How crazy is that?

Unknown said...

How sad, those are gorgeous trees and will be a huge loss if they have to be removed:(

asdesigns said...

I also love trees, too bad my dog and I are allergic to a lot of them. Thats just wrong, I don't understand why you would poison a tree... I mean really it's a tree. come on. and I hope he does get the punishment he deserves.

jlcjbuzz said...

Oh, this made me sick! I love trees and we (people) need them for our survival (yes, that photosynthesis that you brought up). This is terrible! I hope he gets what he deserves!

Unknown said...

People never cease to amaze (and disgust) me! Love the poem!

BijiBijoux said...

It's sad to see this. People need to be more educated and learn enough how to take care of the nature

Charlene said...

I agree, he sounds like a jerk.

CalliopeCreations said...

I had no idea of the disrespect some Auburn students showed to these trees.

Graphic pictures.

Michelle said...

So sad... He's worse than a jerk and over a football game, seriously? It's just a game.

Dee said...

How immature and thoughtless! And those are the kindest words I can come up with, I would love to say something else. I love and revere trees.

Emily Claire said...

I'm so sorry to hear about this. People need to respect the earth and God's creations more! Thank you for sharing.

P.S. I love your banner!

Mandy said...

That is so heartbreaking. They are icons. I hope he gets 10 years. That's murder!

Crystal said...

Some people are so cruel. Trees are beautiful!

elsa lïoneye said...

what a terrible thing that was done to those lovely trees! i hope that man goes to the clink!

lioneyedgirl.blogspot.com

Lbtoyos said...

Love to read your history!!!

a.mattimeo said...

So very sad and such a shame, these trees are beautiful.

Anonymous said...

oh what a shame.
those poor trees! yes, we need to take care of the things that take care of us.

Norahz Boutique said...

What a sad story.

Fascia Berlin said...

OH my gosh - that's awaful - thank you so much for telling us about that! What a goon! Trees are such an inspiration!

Unknown said...

I love trees too. They are amazing!

Unknown said...

What a tragic waste!

Sea Flower Studios said...

It shocks me what some people do out of bitterness or hatred.

Leah R. Hood, Jewelry Designer & Artisan said...

This is just so wrong!

Unknown said...

I love trees, the comfort, shade, and stability they provide...it's too bad some people don't have respect for Mother Nature.

petitehermine said...

I can't believe how disrespectful they are to those trees! It takes more than a human lifetime for them to grow so large and a few dumb people to destroy them -_-

Tania Pelletier said...

That is so very sad... I don't understand how someone could do that either. :(

Tania

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