Valmiera school replants historic birch avenue

Students, alumni and staff have planted 42 birch trees to restore the historic avenue at Valmiera State Gymnasium, LSM reports. The avenue had been missing for eight years, though it was still celebrated in the school hymn.

The original avenue was planted in 1933 with 60 birches. The trees were cut down eight years ago after they became dangerous.

Alumnus and former school employee Ivars Briedis said the birches had grown alongside him and his classmates, but had apparently reached the end of their lives.