AUBURN, Alabama -- Auburn University has determined within three years the age of the iconic oaks at Toomer's Corner.

School officials were unable to determine the trees' precise age last month -- more than two years after a fan of Auburn's arch rival, the Alabama Crimson Tide, poisoned them following Auburn's upset of Alabama in the 2010 Iron Bowl.

But the university reported today that counts of annual growth rings showed the oaks were between 83 and 85 years old at the time of their

.

A split in the wood made determining their exact age impossible.

Professor of Horticulture Gary Keever and Associate Professor of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Brian Via independently counted 81 annual growth rings on

.

"The center one-inch section of the trunk was split and not clearly delineated," Keever said. "This growth most likely occurred over two to four years, making the trees 83 to 85 years old."

The count supports Keever's earlier assessment, based on photographic evidence, that showed the oaks were planted in 1937 and were eight to 12 feet tall at the time.

That makes them significantly younger than the 130-year age popularly believed before the trees' removal.

"Field-grown live oaks of that size would typically be eight to 10 years old," Keever said.

"The photographic evidence coupled with our growth ring count makes us confident in aging them at 83-85 years," Via said.

The university reports it is currently looking for ways to publicly display the wood from the oaks, including the cross-section used to age the trees.

Keepsakes made from the oaks are being sold by several manufacturers licensed by the university. Photographs and descriptions are available here.

