A massive regional effort to replace trees destroyed by the October 2006 snowstorm continues this weekend, when 1,700 will be planted.

Large-scale plantings coordinated by volunteers of Re- Tree WNY are scheduled Saturday morning in Buffalo, Amherst and the Town of Tonawanda. Residents are invited to help.

For the Town of Tonawanda, Saturday’s work along Dexter Terrace and Calvert Boulevard means the town will meet its replanting goal a full year ahead of schedule.

Nearly 27,000 town-maintained trees were damaged by the freak snowstorm that struck Oct. 12-13, 2006. Almost 2,000 had to be removed, and officials developed a plan to replace them by the fall of 2010.

Since the storm, Re-Tree has donated dozens of trees to the town and also helped officials secure money to pay for stump removal of damaged trees. Some of that money was used to buy even more trees.

“On behalf of the residents of the Town of Tonawanda, I wish to thank Paul [Maurer, chairman of Re-Tree] and all those involved with Re-Tree WNY for assisting us in this project,” said Highway Superintendent Bradley A. Rowles. “Without their help and support, we would not have been able to reach our goal so quickly.”

Established by local residents in the wake of the October storm, Re-Tree WNY has a five-year plan to replace 30,000 trees throughout Western New York. Since Arbor Day in April 2007, more than 11,000 have been planted.

Though municipal crews and community groups form the core of the tree-planting armies, additional volunteers are welcome. They are encouraged to dress appropriately and to bring gloves.

Planting commences at 9 a. m. Saturday, with volunteers asked to assemble at the following locations:

Buffalo, 307 14th St., between Vermont and Rhode Island streets.

Amherst, in front of Forest Elementary School at North Forest and Union roads.

Town of Tonawanda, in front of Dexter Elementary School, 333 Dexter Terrace.