Auburn University sells clones of Toomer’s Oaks

Auburn fans have a unique opportunity to own a clone of the Toomer’s Oaks.

The 1- to 3-foot tall clones cost $125. The tree includes a certificate of authenticity, information about the trees and instructions on care. Proceeds from the purchased trees will go to the Thomas H. Dodd Jr. Endowed Professorship in Horticulture.

Dr. Gary Keever, a horticulture professor at Auburn University, said that the cloned trees are being fertilized and pruned on a daily basis. Over 2,100 shoots have been propagated since tree cuttings were collected in the summer of 2013.

“People can have a piece of history. It allows people to hang on to memories of the former Oaks,” Keever said.

Rhizomic shoots taken from the location of the former Toomer’s Oaks are growing in a greenhouse at Auburn University. The shoots are able to grow because the tree planters still contain the roots of the Toomer’s Oaks after the above-ground portion was cut in April of 2013.

Toomer’s Oaks was a beloved landmark at Auburn University, and the rolling of the trees was a tradition during football season at Auburn. The Oaks were poisoned in 2011. It was determined that the Oaks were between 83 and 85 years old.

Prior to the poisoning, there was a seedling program for about eight years where acorns were collected from the Oaks. The seedlings were grown in the greenhouse and sold to alumni and fans.

The location where Toomer’s Oaks once stood will have two trees planted in 2015.

For more information on how to purchase a tree, go to https://tpg.auburn.edu/ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=22"

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