Preserving history by saving sycamores.

Quick-acting citizens of Jennerstown, Pennsylvania, have saved a line of sycamores planted along Route 985 in honor of World War I veterans. A total of 33 so-called Memorial Trees were in jeopardy after Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced plans to cut them down, saying they had been deemed a safety hazard.

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The trees were planted as part of a national memorial launched by AMERICAN FORESTS in 1919. Across the nation, individuals, groups, universities, and communities planted trees to honor WWI soldiers. The tradition continued into WWII, and AMERICAN FORESTS continues the practice today, most notably in remembrance of the September 11 victims. To learn the complete story behind the memorial tree tradition, check out American Forests magazine's web archives, which are located at http://www.americanforests.org/productsandpubs/magazine/archives/2003spring/.

Many of the original WWI trees are gone now, but some remain, and civic groups such as Jennerstown's Save Our Sycamores (SOS), are adamant about protecting them.

PennDOT has agreed to spare a large section of the grove of sycamore trees, but 10 to 14 will get the ax because they are either sick or potentially hazardous to drivers. PennDot also agreed to replace any trees that are cut.

Tom Prestash, PennDOT's District 9 executive, told the Daily American the matter probably could have been handled better. "If we could do this process over again, we would have had this discussion six months ago."

State rep Tom Yewcic told the newspaper that axing the trees "would be a crime." He did some research that turned up an old Pennsylvania law, rescinded in 1960, that made cutting down the trees a crime punishable by a $500 penalty and five months in jail. Yewcic has urged township supervisors to protect trees by passing ordinances.

Though many citizens feel optimistic about the gains their efforts have made thus far, the battle is not quite over. Vivian Berkebile, one of SOS's core members, says she is happy with PennDOT's support but frustrated as the number of trees that are to be cut continues to rise.

"I understand the safety issues," Berkebile told the Daily American. "There are one or two on a curve and people do drive too fast." She is also exploring the possibility of planting a legacy grove to replace the lost trees, complete with a plaque commemorating the veterans of WWI.

But some citizens do not agree that any of the healthy trees should be cut. Larry Pearce, another SOS activist, believes the sycamores should not have to suffer at the expense of careless drivers. "Trees don't cause accidents," he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "People cause accidents."

Those who wish to show their support for Save Our Sycamores can visit SOS's website, www.saveoursycamores.org.