Mayor Eddie Sundquist thanked the community for helping Jamestown celebrate Arbor Day and the city’s 42nd year of being recognized as a “Tree City USA” by helping plant new trees to replace the historic cathedral oaks that were removed in 2020 and 2021.

Sundquist said the planting of the new trees completes the “total redo” of one of the city’s “premier entrances” into Jamestown. The replanting on West Third Street completes the city’s complete redesign of the street, which included new sidewalks and streetlights that match the downtown region.

In November, a wooden bench made from the historic cathedral oaks was donated to the Fenton History Center to help preserve the legacy of the iconic trees on West Third Street. Additionally, during last week’s City Council work session, Dan Stone, Parks Department manager, said the replanting of trees along West Third Street will help the city continue the historic theme of the street.

Commemorating Saturday’s community tree planting event on social media, Sundquist thanked everyone for their participation, highlighting the importance of the redevelopment of West Third Street.

City officials and community members worked to replant trees along West Third Street Saturday. The community tree planting event marked the end of the city’s redevelopment of West Third Street, following the removal of the historic “cathedral oaks.” Pictured are Dan Stone, Parks Department manager, left, and Mayor Eddie Sundquist.

“This is an especially proud moment for me and I thank Jamestown residents, City Council, the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, our Parks Commission, all of our departments, but especially Parks Manager and City Arborist Dan Stone and our wonderful Jamestown Parks, Recreation & Conservation Department workers who made replacing the Oaks in a sustainable way their goal these last three years,” Sundquist said. “Thank you to all the residents who came out and helped us plant the new trees.”

Sundquist added that the new trees planted on West Third Street will last for generations and will help maintain the city’s “incredible urban forest.”

Pictured are local residents helping plant trees on West Third Street. Photos by the city of Jamestown