Last spring, the Virginia Department of Transportation launched a program to remove 700 trees close to travel lanes along interstates 64, 66, and 81.

On Wednesday, a press conference announced a tree-trimming award given to the VDOT Staunton District.

Students from Turner Ashby High School and Future Farmers of America spent the morning planting redbud and dogwood trees at a rest stop along 81.

More than 2,000 trees will be planted, which is more than double the amount removed from the side of major Virginia highways because they were potential hazards in car crashes.

The newly planted trees will grow outside of the clear zone. Students say they are proud to help beautify the highways of Virginia.

A Turner Ashby sophomore, Wes Kline, says, "I think it will be amazing about 20 years down the road when they are fully grown, and there's picnic tables. I think it will be great to drive by and say, that's something I did. I can show my kids and grandkids what I did to help make the environment better."

VDOT says the planting should be completed by Friday.