AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn University is asking fans to avoid rolling its replanted oak trees with toilet paper as football games begin on campus.
A statement from the school issued Wednesday says two oaks that were planted in 2017 and 10 descendant trees all had a good growing season this year. But a specialist said the trees still need special care, and a ban on rolling will allow time for them to become acclimated to their environment.
A University of Alabama fan pleaded guilty in 2013 to poisoning the original trees at Auburn’s Toomer’s Corner. Tiger fans traditionally gather there after victories to throw rolls of toilet paper over the oaks.
Those trees died, and the school has been in the process of getting new trees re-established at the spot ever since. The school says fans are allowed to roll two magnolia trees and a oak tree that are near Toomer’s Corner, just not the new oaks.
Auburn plays its first football game of the year on Saturday against Kentucky at Jordan-Hare Stadium.