The Charlotte Public Tree Fund seeks to reclaim title of City of Trees; Charlotte, NC

The Charlotte Public Tree Fund- Preserving Our Urban Forest Natural Awakenings Magazine Charlotte: Besides being beautiful to look at and fun to climb, trees are a valuable asset to a city, requiring care and maintenance like other public property. Just as sidewalks, streets and buildings are part of a city’s infrastructure, so are trees. They work 24 hours a day to enhance the environment and our quality of life.
Once known as “The City of Trees,” Charlotte is now losing trees at a dramatic rate. According to the latest study of Mecklenburg County completed by American Forests, Inc., between 1985 and 2008 the county lost 33% of tree canopy, 2.8% of open space, and increased urban/impervious areas (roads, parking lots, buildings) by 60%. Lost air quality benefits resulting from this land cover change is $8,739,909.00 annually. Increased costs to manage storm water resulting from this change are $50,093,674.00.
The Charlotte Public Tree Fund (CPTF) strives to save and plant more trees to reduce the negative impacts of these changes.