For the first time in two years, there are two live oaks at Toomer's Corner.
Fans surrounded Samford Park early Saturday morning, Feb. 14, to watch crews plant the 35-foot trees.
The College Street Oak arrived on-site at approximately 8:03 a.m. and was set in the ground at approximately 9:34 a.m.
The Magnolia Avenue Oak arrived shortly after, at approximately 10:13 a.m.
Police cleared fans off the sidewalk as the oak was lifted and moved to Toomer's Corner.
The Magnolia Avenue Oak was in the ground at approximately 11:19 a.m.
The cranes were removed at approximately 12:05 p.m., while fans cheered and Samford Hall chimed the Auburn fight song.
Mike Clardy, director of University communications, said a lot of preparation has gone into bringing the oaks back.
"I've gone through the last four years in my mind what this day was going to look like," Clardy said. "We didn't know what we were going to have. I'm happy we had this many fans come out."
Normalcy is returning to Auburn, according to Clardy.
"You can't break that spirit," Clardy said. "And although the tradition of actually rolling the trees won't be back for a while, we're getting closer."
Clardy said fans should refrain from rolling the trees.
"While they're establishing their roots and really acclimating to the new environment, we really don't want them full of toilet paper," Clardy said. "It's stressful on the trees."
It has been four years since Harvey Updyke called in to the Paul Finebaum Show, claiming to have poisoned Auburn's iconic oaks.
John and Ashlyn Fordham, of Auburn, brought their 1-year-old son, Hunter, to watch the oaks take root.
"It wouldn't be polite to say how I felt when the trees were poisoned," John said.
Ashlyn said she was in disbelief when she heard the news.
"We were absolutely devastated," Ashlyn said. "How could somebody to do that to a tradition?"
The Fordhams will never forget the day they saw the new oaks planted, according to Ashlyn.
"I'm proud and excited for sure," Ashlyn said. "I'm really happy our baby was here to see it. He won't remember it, but we'll have pictures."
Chase Beard, junior in chemical engineering, said he was excited to watch the oaks' return.
"It will be nice to roll the trees again after the games someday," Beard said. "I'm sure everybody and their mother will be here when we can roll the trees."
James Gillespie, an Auburn fan from Prattville, watched from the sidewalk with his daughter, Amy.
The oaks' journey is a metaphor for life, according to James.
"When life kills your dreams, plant a new one," James said. "So that's kind of how we see it. This is a new beginning. Something was taken away, but this is an opportunity to start over. Don't let your life kill your dreams. Replant them. This is a new beginning and it's also history."
Hannah Swanson, junior in professional and public writing, said she is glad to be part of history.
"I feel really excited to be a part of a ceremony that will be remembered for years to come," Swanson said.
Phase I of the Samford Park renovation is now complete.
Thirty more oak trees, descendants of the original Toomer's Oaks, will be planted starting in April, with completion scheduled for 2016.
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