Community volunteers spent part of their weekend planting 28 trees in Galesburg as part of the city’s ongoing effort to reach its Project 350 goal of 1,000 trees.

Tom Larsen, left, and Heather Sipes remove burlap from a tree they helped plant along Veterans Drive on Saturday morning. (Photo by Loran Lewis/GCN)

Volunteers gathered Saturday, April 25, at the Dale May Fire Training Center before planting trees at Jason Wessels Park, Voyles Field, Optimist Park and along Veterans Drive. Trees planted included chinkapin oaks, crabapples, yellowwoods, lilacs, Robin Hill serviceberries and maples.

Volunteers gather around a newly planted Cherokee Princess dogwood tree at the Municipal Pool as part of a citywide effort to add trees in Galesburg parks and along Veterans Drive. (Photo by Rick Cross)

The program, launched in 2022 by Mayor Peter Schwartzman, was originally designed as a five-year effort to plant 350 trees in city parks and on city terraces. City officials say the project has since expanded, with 725 trees planted since 2022 across 116 varieties, and a new goal of reaching 1,000 trees by the end of 2026.

Seven trees were planted along the east side of the intersection of Veterans and Carl Sandburg drives as part of a volunteer effort to add 28 trees in four Galesburg parks and along Veterans Drive. (Photo by Loran Lewis/GCN)

The effort comes after years of significant tree loss in Galesburg, largely due to the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect that has damaged ash tree populations across the region. Tree removals have continued in recent years in city parks due to poor condition.

Project 350 has relied on volunteers working with city employees to plant and maintain trees throughout Galesburg. The effort also allows residents to request free trees for city terraces adjacent to their property, with homeowners asked to help water the trees after planting.

As part of this year’s Arbor Day activities, the city joined District 205 on April 25 to plant a swamp white oak at Lombard School.

The city has said Project 350 supports Galesburg’s broader urban forestry efforts and has contributed to its recognition as a Tree City USA community.