Charlotte’s tree canopy is one of the finest urban forests in America and is our most recognized and
treasured natural resource. The canopy defines our City and benefits everyone. Trees clean our air,
reduce storm water run-off, cool our streets and homes (reduce energy use), increase property values,
and give us beauty. Trees are essential to our health, both physically and mentally. In recognition of the
canopy’s importance and tree canopy loss, the Charlotte City Council recently adopted a bold tree
canopy coverage goal of 50% by 2050. This goal calls for planting 500,000 trees.
TreesCharlotte is a public/private collaborative dedicated to planting 15,000 trees annually through
volunteer efforts. The collaborative also educates Charlotte’s residents on the importance of the canopy
and ways to plant and preserve trees. At its core, TreesCharlotte is an unparalleled civic engagement
initiative that will help build stronger neighborhoods and community.
TreesCharlotte was launched with generous leadership and support from The John S. and James L. Knight
Foundation, Foundation For The Carolinas, and the Blumenthal Foundation. More recent supporters
include Carolinas HealthCare System, Crescent Resources, and Duke Energy Foundation.
TreesCharlotte is affiliated with Foundation For The Carolinas and is overseen by the TreesCharlotte
Foundation Board. The Board provides strategic oversight to the collaborative and raises private capital
to plant trees. The Board is co-chaired by Marcia Simon and Johnny Harris.
TreesCharlotte’s collaborative partners include the following organizations or agencies, among others:
• Carolinas HealthCare System
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
• Charlotte Housing Authority
• Crescent Resources
• Catawba Lands Conservancy
• Duke Energy
• Charlotte Public Tree Fund
• Mecklenburg County, Parks & Recreation
and Storm Water Services
• City of Charlotte, including Charlotte
Tree Advisory Commission, Landscape
• Queens University of Charlotte
Management, Neighborhood & Business
• University of North Carolina Charlotte
Services, Planning, Storm Water,
• NC Forest Service
Sustainability, and Urban Forestry
Through its NeighborWoods program, TreesCharlotte will plant over 1,000 trees this fall and winter in
seven neighborhoods and school campuses. Ten major planting events are planned for the next planting
season. TreesCharlotte also supports reforest efforts to plant thousands of small trees in natural areas.
For more information, contact: Dave Cable, Director, dave@treescharlotte.org or 704-577-2004.
TreesCharlotte Foundation | c/o Foundation For The Carolinas | 220 N. Tryon Street | Charlotte, NC 28202 | 704.577.2004
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’ve heard Charlotte has one of the best tree ordinances in the country. Why is
TreesCharlotte even necessary?
A: The most recent revision of the tree ordinance goes a long way toward protecting a percentage
trees when new neighborhoods or commercial facilities are constructed, while still encouraging
economic growth. The ordinance will help save 10-15% tree coverage in some areas, and requires
more trees in parking lots. The ordinance is an important part of a multi-strategy solution to meet the
canopy goal.
Q: Why isn’t this initiative a purely government program?
A: The City of Charlotte is a key partner in the TreesCharlotte collaborative. Non-government
agencies are effective in community and volunteer engagement, particularly given that most planting
will be on private property. The City will continue its world-class street tree program and public
project plantings, and will support private volunteer planting with arborists, landscape design,
planning support, and capital.
Q: Is TreesCharlotte a new non-profit? We have too many non-profits now.
A: No. TreesCharlotte is a collaborative of public and private partners, and is affiliated with
Foundation For The Carolinas. The organizational model plays to the partners’ strengths, is
entrepreneurial, and is most efficient.
Q: I’m a tax payer in Charlotte. Why should I support TreesCharlotte in addition to the taxes I pay?
A: TreesCharlotte stretches tax dollars by engaging volunteers to plant and take care of trees.
Through the collaborative each dollar of public capital will be combined with private capital and will
be further stretched by volunteer efforts. TreesCharlotte is a unique legacy project for our community.
Q: How can I get involved in TreesCharlotte?
A: TreesCharlotte benefits from strong community support. First, consider volunteering to plant
trees. Volunteer planting opportunities are typically listed at TreesCharlotte.org. Our web site is
under construction and the revamped site will make it easy for you to register for tree planting
events. Second, consider making a donation to TreesCharlotte – you can do so by clicking on the
DONATE button on the web site or by sending a gift to TreesCharlotte Foundation, c/o Foundation
For The Carolinas (see address below). Third, spread the word about TreesCharlotte to your friends
and neighbors. Lastly, plant a tree in your yard and water and care for the trees you have – you and
they will benefit! Tree care advise can be found at TreesCharlotte.org.
TreesCharlotte Foundation | c/o Foundation For The Carolinas | 220 N. Tryon Street | Charlotte, NC 28202 | 704.577.2004