CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland is working to preserve the heritage of century-old trees planted to commemorate area soldiers who died in World War I.
The planting of the nine-mile stretch of red oaks that runs through Cleveland and into suburban Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights marks its 100th anniversary on Memorial Day.
Local officials are taking an inventory of remaining Liberty Row trees, many of which have died over the years, with some plaques lost or damaged.
The greater Cleveland area was one of the first communities nationally to envision a multi-mile stretch of trees as a memorial to fallen soldiers.
Between 1919 and 1924, more than 800 oak trees were planted, each with a bronze plaque at its base engraved with the name of a fallen soldier. Less than 200 of the plaques remain today, according to Al Oberst, a volunteer that has been placing flags at the bases of the huge oaks for the past 30 years. Oberst received a proclamation from the City of Cleveland Heights for his work with the trees.