The Otago Polytechnic students, led by arboriculture lecturer Jerry Lynch, are pruning about 30 oaks between Weston and Ngapara on the Weston-Ngapara Rd.
The oaks were planted in memory of individual North Otago soldiers who served in World War 1.
But, over the years, some of the oaks have been removed, while others have been badly pruned, especially those under power lines erected after they were planted.
The students, up to 12 a day, are hoping to rectify that, donating their time to do a job that would cost the Memorial Oaks Trust thousands of dollars.
The cost of materials, petrol and hire of a chipper is being met by the Waitaki District Council.
"It's good practical experience for the students, who really enjoy the work because of the significance of the trees," he said.
Mr Lynch started the job in June last year, with his team working on memorial oaks on coastal North Otago between Kakanui and Hampden.
Later this season, they plan to do oaks between Duntroon and Livingston, then next season along State Highway 83 between Kurow and Pukeuri.
That will leave the oaks along State Highway 1 between Maheno and Hampden.
Mr Lynch said working on state highways was more difficult because traffic control was needed.
Some of the oaks on the Weston-Ngapara Rd have been "badly knocked around" by trucks and pruning to clear power lines.
One tree they were working on yesterday needed to be reshaped and encouraged to grow away from power lines.
Acorns are also being collected by students for the polytechnic's horticulture department to grow seedlings which can be used to replace lost trees and relocate others which interfere with power lines or the road.
