Imagine Charlotte’s tree canopy as a vast, protective “umbrella” of leaves and branches that stretch throughout our city. It’s the lovely sight you see when you gaze up while standing under a tree or when you look down at all the green from a skyscraper or airplane. This canopy defines Charlotte, gracing residential properties, lining our streets, and filling our parks and Uptown areas. It’s the heart of our city’s Urban Forest and a key player in enhancing our quality of life!

This awesome tree canopy provides us with many benefits, such as: 

• Providing shade in summer and color throughout the year
• Cleaning and cooling the air
• Soaking up carbon dioxide and reducing greenhouse gasses
• Blocking wind and reducing noise pollution
• Providing a habitat for wildlife  
• Capturing stormwater runoff
• Mitigating erosion

And guess what? These green guardians can even help lower your stress levels – science says so!

“Our tree canopy is vital and valuable, but vulnerable – we have to care for it! It is also impressive, refreshing, and nurturing for the city of Charlotte.”

 – Natasha Warren, City Arborist Program Coordinator

But wait, just how BIG is our tree canopy?

 A 2022 canopy analysis shows that Charlotte’s tree canopy covers around 47% of the city. That’s more than 3 billion square feet or roughly equivalent to

Did you know the most unique part of Charlotte’s canopy is the aging Willow Oaks?

Back in the early 1900s, these native Willow Oaks were carefully uprooted from our local forests and lovingly replanted along the charming streets of Charlotte. While they have graced our city with their beauty, we are now confronted with the challenge of potentially losing these majestic Willow Oaks due to factors such as aging, disease, storms, and sometimes, development. Consequently, the lack of diversity in the initial planting poses a threat to our canopy. 

Here’s how we’re working to protect this local treasure!

In order to protect and replace the aging trees, such as the Willow Oaks, and develop new canopy, there are two main areas of focus: 

1. Diversity of species planted: we currently manage 350 different species of trees to help increase the diversity across the urban forest. In addition to the Willow Oaks, some of the dominant species you’ll see are Maples, with beautiful fall colors, and Dogwood, with beautiful white and pink flowers in the spring. 
2. Planting trees in historically underserved communities in Charlotte, where the tree canopy has been lacking

While the environmental benefits of trees are well-documented, the biggest impact of losing our canopy will be on us! Trees provide incalculable social benefits; besides providing beauty year-round, they are critical for cooling our streets, houses, and sidewalks to make our urban areas livable. 

Our canopy also helps reduce energy costs from air conditioning. Neighborhoods with higher tree canopy coverage have lower crime rates, lower stress and anxiety levels, and higher house prices. The benefits the canopy provides are endless and it’s up to us to help preserve them.

So, what can you do to protect the canopy?

Charlotte residents play an important role in protecting the canopy. 

• Make sure you know how to care for your trees. If there is a street tree in front of your house or in your neighborhood that needs pruning or attention, please contact our office.
• Plant trees that are good for our area. Many of our partners, such as TreesCharlotte and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, host tree-planting events throughout the year.  
• Help us get more data on the trees that make up our canopy by using our inventory tool, Tree By Tree.

Finally, Speak up! Tell your council member that you want stronger tree protection legislation and increased tree funding. Vote for a local representative who champions this cause!

If you’d like to learn more about how you can personally help preserve this invaluable resource, reach out to our office. 

Together, we can ensure Charlotte’s tree canopy continues to flourish, benefiting both our environment and our well-being.

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