HOUSTON -- Hurricane Ike uprooted thousands of trees as it made its way across Houston more than three weeks ago. But now the city has a plan to replace those trees and plant many more in an effort to go greener, KPRC Local 2 reported Monday.

Houston Mayor Bill White said the city would plant 1 million trees in the Houston area within the next five years.

White joined with the Houston Parks Department, Trees for Houston, the Texas Department of Transportation, Houston's Quality of Life Coalition, the Greater Houston Partnership and others to kick off the program.

He planted a ceremonial tree on the Westcott at Prague esplanade near Memorial Park.

The planting will start on Dec. 1 with 41 streets receiving trees.

Wayside Drive, Clay Road and South Dairy Ashford will be planted first.

The mayor also encouraged citizens to replant trees in their own yards and communities.

He also asked local businesses to give employees the gift of trees this holiday season, which he said will last a lot longer than a turkey.

The corporate community can also participate in the Gift of Trees program, in which companies can donate esplanade trees on behalf of clients, customers and employees. Visit www.treesforhouston.org for more information.

A dedicated Web site, www.milliontreesplushouston.org, which will be up in late October, has been established to provide details and information on tree-planting progress and tree totals as the initiative progresses.