Losing one to three a year, Oak Harbor’s remaining Garry oak trees are at risk of disappearing, say city officials.

To help save the oaks in Oak Harbor, Navy personnel gathered Friday morning to plant 30 trees on Navy property along Regatta Drive.

The idea for planting Garry oaks along Regatta was first raised with Navy personnel by city staff in March 2015.

This area has a few oaks and likely had many more in the past, according to a city press release. One large oak recently died between the Oak Harbor Library and Navy housing.

The Regatta planting reflects the partnering of the Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society, the city, the Navy and Oak Harbor High School, said Brad Gluth, a civil engineer for the city.

“There were a lot more trees here 100 years ago,” said Gluth. “If we keep losing them, we won’t be ‘Oak’ Harbor anymore.”

Garry oak trees have a life span of about 300 years, making the ones in Oak Harbor relative senior citizens, Gluth said.

Acorns for the oak saplings were planted three years ago by members of Oak Harbor High School’s Ecology Club and horticulture class in the school’s greenhouse, according to Gluth. During the summer months, when the students were out for the summer, city employees volunteered their time to water and care for the young oaks.

Planting materials, including pots, soil and mulch, were donated by Walmart and Home Depot.

Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society President Laura Renninger said the last remaining remnant grove that has existed since before Oak Harbor was founded is located on Navy property.

Renninger said the Navy is aware of the importance of oak trees and the habitat they form.

On Friday morning, Oak Harbor Mayor Bob Severns and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Commanding Officer Geoffrey Moore participated in a ceremonial first dig, then assisted in planting the first tree.

“Twenty-nine more go to,” Moore said.

The planting of the trees along Regatta Avenue will connect the fragmented habitat and ensure survivability for future generations of Garry oaks, Renninger said.

“We’re very pleased that this came together, and it’s gratifying to see the different entities come together.”

Severns said that, when he talked with Moore about the tree-planting project, the response was, “This is a no brainer.”

The Navy Public Works Department even scouted the locations to ensure the future trees would not interfere with underground utilities, according to Severns.