Beware the angry football fan

Here's a picture of one of two famed oak trees that stand at Toomer's Corner, the gateway to the Auburn University campus. For 130 years, the two trees provided a stately welcome on the campus to students and visitors alike.

The oaks symbolized the university's school spirit, and it was a longstanding tradition at Auburn to drape them heavily in toilet paper after every football victory (see image at bottom).

But two years ago, an angry University of Alabama football fan poisoned the trees with herbicide, upset that Auburn beat Alabama in their face-off a week prior. Now, both trees look like this. Pretty heartbreaking.

On April 20, the City of Auburn and the university are hosting an event called "Celebrate the Tradition." Held after the annual A-Day spring football game, it will give fans one last chance to roll the trees in toilet paper and bid them adieu before they're chopped down completely.

The school also will unveil its future landscaping plans for the site that day, as the community boldly moves forward. It will be interesting to see what those plans are. 

It's true that with every end comes a new beginning, but I can't help but feel it's a needless end these trees have come to.

--BG

What the trees looked like before, courtesy mnn.com user 11739

Student Career Days an education

OK, I'm all about Student Career Days. There's really no other way to say it. Hosted by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the networking event for college students seeking to enter the landscaping industry drew nearly 900 students from every corner of the country this year, not to mention Canada.

The Auburn University campus was a beautiful backdrop to this year's event, which ends officially on Sunday. Surrounded by Auburn's charming cafes, southern hospitality and majestic pre-Civil War brick architecture, students immersed themselves in all things landscaping.

And it was fun to watch.

The day started with a pep rally in Auburn's old stadium, and the place rocked with fight songs from among the 63 colleges represented here. Afterward, it was on to the career fair, where students networked with some of the landscape industry's best firms, and firms in turn recruited top talent. 

The day was exhilarating on many levels. The camaraderie among students from all walks of life was contagious, proving Student Career Days is as much about connecting with other students as it is about connecting with employers.

For established landscape companies, Student Career Days is an important event. They don't take it lightly. By coming here year after year, they're exposed to potential staffers who are as serious about the profession as they are. Who aim to stick around. Whose heart is in it.

Thanks to Student Career Days, Auburn University today was just a positive place to be. It's a place overflowing with good vibes, ambition and people on a mission to know just how far their potential can take them.
-Beth Geraci

PLANET's Student Career Days kicks off

Had a nice time hanging with some of the industry's best in the Auburn University Hotel bar this evening after hitting the student reception at PLANET's Student Career Days. It took place in the shadow of Auburn's storied football stadium, and whether they were doing the zipline, playing tug-of-war or just shooting the breeze, it was clear the students could not have been more pumped to be here.

The main event gets under way in the morning. In the meantime, check out these photos from tonight. --Beth Geraci

The double zipline