In the 1800's, white pines covered the Northland but several factors since then have made the trees hard to find.

Now, two friends with a whole lot of helpers are becoming northern versions of Johnny Appleseed to bring the tall trees back.

Dave Anderson has their story.

Many hands make light work so several sets of little hands got together to make one mighty heave to raise a new sign at Duluth's Brighton Beach.

"What does it say, kids? Lester River White Pine Forest!"

Well over a hundred years ago, white pines were the dominant tree in the Northland.

Logging, the Cloquet Fire of 1918 and blister rust disease have since made the majestic tree rare around the Twin Ports.

Horticulturist Bob Olen and Forester Jim Larson are two people who are trying to bring the white pine back through replanting.

"He's my partner in crime over here! We dreamt this project up over a cup of coffee one February."

With approval of the City of Duluth and St. Louis County, Bob and Jim raised money for seedlings and recruited school kids to plant them.

They're trying to recreate history with the white pines.

"They're actually a big part of our history. They're absolutely magnificent and they're the climax tree in this area."

The kids who planted these trees come from Lester Park and Holy Rosary Schools.

They adopt individual trees and promise to take care of them.

The kids, including brothers Samuel and Jonah Wehr, love their role as junior foresters.

"Because we're helping reproduce the forest!"

The Fischer sisters; including Signe, Cami, Carrie and Casey concur.

They're proud of the pictures of themselves with their seedlings.

Each planter gets one and the goal is to document the growth of children and tree.

Since white pine live upwards of four hundred years, the trees will be around long after everyone else but Jim Larson looks forward to reunions with today's planters in the forest when he's in his 90's.

"I would love to do that. I'm a long time resident of Duluth so I'll be here for a long time and I'll be watching over this."

At the Lester River White Pine Forest, Dave Anderson, the Northland's News Center.

Bob and Jim say the Lester River White Pine Forest is now full.

They're looking for new areas to replant so more school kids can take part.