Auburn to roll Toomer's Oaks one final time - then remove them - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

Auburn to roll Toomer's Oaks one final time - then remove them

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By JoBeth Davis - bio | email

AUBURN, AL (WSFA) - Despite exhaustive efforts to save the historic oaks at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, University officials say they see no chance of survival for the trees. Now they're formulating a plan to send them out in style - and toilet paper.

Auburn University and the City of Auburn will host a "Celebrate the Tradition" block party at Toomer's Corner on Saturday, April 20 right after the A-Day football game. The plan is to give fans and the community one final opportunity to roll and photograph the oaks before the trees are removed.

While a date for the trees' official removal has not been set - the university says its future landscaping plans will be unveiled on A-Day. This plan will reflect the opinions and ideas of more than 10,000 fans and friends of the university submitted through a survey conducted by Auburn University Campus Planning and Space Management and two landscape architecture firms – Nelson Byrd Woltz and jB+a.

"The architects are combining their expertise and experience with the terrific input from the Auburn Family to come up with a future plan that we will all be proud of," said Dan King, assistant vice president for Auburn University Facilities Management.

Officials say the university is working with the city to create new structures at the College Street-Magnolia Avenue intersection that are suitable for rolling to keep the tradition alive after the oaks are gone.

The block party, which is being co-sponsored by the Auburn Alumni Association, will feature live music and a festive atmosphere to send the trees out in style.