Stanford Tree Cut Down For Bad Behavior, Again

Apr. 10 - KGO (KGO) -- Two trees have been chopped at Stanford in recent months -- the mascots were cut for alleged inappropriate behavior. To get to the root of the problem, ABC7's Larry Beil talked to the most recent tree.

Of all the trees on the Stanford campus, there is one in particular that is causing the most trouble.

Stanford Tree Tommy Leep was recently suspended from the Women's NCAA Tournament for dancing in an unauthorized area.

Tommy Leap, former Stanford Tree: "When I suit this sucker up, it's time to rage."

But the tree has done too much raging recently -- the previous tree, Erin Lashnitz, was removed -- cut down for dancing while drunk.

Tommy was on the job only five weeks, a mere sapling, before running afoul of authorities.

Tommy feels his suspension was totally unwarranted. Basically, this is the classic case of the man trying to keep the tree down.

Tommy Leap: "My footwork itself was perhaps fast and furious. Maybe a little too fast, too furious."

The tree's behavior has gotten everybody's attention.

Gavin Newsom, San Francisco Mayor: "We've been monitoring the tree's activities. I can assure you and everyone that's watching that we take this very seriously and if that tree enters the city and county of San Francisco, we will be watching."

It's been suggested Tommy's tree tenure be truncated. His reaction...

Tommy Leap: "As Notorious B.I.G. once said, 'birthdays were the worst days, now we sip champagne when we're thirs-tay.' I think that that sums it up."

We have no idea what that means, but it sounded good.

Tommy says tree status is at an all-time high, perhaps a good time to say goodbye. However, he's not ready to relinquish his branches just yet -- he'd like to see his archrival Oski from Cal a few more times.

Tommy Leap: "When push comes to shove, I would hope that Oski would throw down the mitts."

ABC7's Larry Beil: "You want a piece of Oski? Is that what you're telling me?"

Tommy Leap: "I'm ready for him."

Tree-mendous.

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