In fact, it's continuing today.

This weekend, ReLeaf Fort Erie invites volunteers to dig in and take part in a Town Wide Tree Planting day. With the co-operation of the town the group has identified one public park in each of the town's six wards to be the recipient of 15 large native species trees.

In total, the roots of more than 90 trees will be planted firmly into the ground. Species to be planted include red oak, red maple, white pine and 10-foot tulip trees, which happen to be on the crest of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation, who donated $10,000 towards the project.

ReLeaf Fort Erie was established to replant trees that were lost during the snowstorm. The group's mandate is to replant only on public lands such as parks and schools, and to only plant native species trees.

All of the funding to date has been raised through private and corporate donations.

ReLeaf is looking for community volunteers who dig the outdoors to help with the planting initiative Saturday May 17.

"We need people to help dig, plant and refill the holes," said Yvonne Hopkins, project coordinator with the Friends of Fort Erie's Creeks, which has worked with Coun. Bob Steckley among others to form ReLeaf.

"The storm wrecked thousands of area trees. Three on my property alone were killed and others were damaged," said Steckley.

Most of the trees still had their leaves, making the damage worse. After the storm, Canadian Niagara Power brought in crews from across Niagara and as far away as Hamilton and Cornwall to help repair the damage mostly caused by trees or branches collapsing under the weight of snow.

It would take decades for the trees to re-grow naturally, but Steckley isn't willing to wait quite that long.

Trees are important because they provide shade and can help cut home air conditioning bills and provide oxygen, he said.

Volunteers are invited to come out this weekend armed with shovels, wheel barrels or just themselves.

The planting day is May 17 with a rain date of May 18. Times and locations are: