Recently, the Jamestown Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, along with the Jamestown Renaissance Corp. and Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, planted a “China Snow” lilac tree on Prospect Street. Pictured from left are Randy Sweeney, Pete Miraglia, Dan Stone, Tory Irgang, Joe Camarata, Grant Olson, and Mary Maxwell. Submitted photo

Since the fall of 2007, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation has granted more than $85,000 to the city of Jamestown for tree planting.

This year, the Jamestown Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department planted 51 trees with the foundation’s support throughout the “Park West,” North Main Street, Lakeview Avenue, Forest Heights and Prospect and Superior Street neighborhoods.

In addition to tree planting projects, city arborist Dan Stone and his crews have been busy removing damaged ash trees due a local infestation of the emerald ash borer.

“Last year, we removed 428 trees along the streets of Jamestown, 264 which were necessary due to the emerald ash borer,” Stone said. “We’ve also removed more than 50 ash trees in city parks and right-of-ways throughout the city.”

Heading into next year, Stone has plans to begin replacing the trees that were removed, starting with the areas of the city hit hardest by the loss of ash trees.

“With the Foundation’s recent $7,000 grant, we’re hoping to purchase and plant around 70 trees in the Euclid Avenue, Falconer Street, Prendergast Avenue, Sampson Street and South Main Street neighborhoods,” Stone said.