How many trees have we lost in the last 6 years? About 7,669 acres of trees. That’s pretty sobering news.
According to a canopy survey conducted by the University of Vermont in collaboration with the local non-profit TreesCharlotte, Charlotte’s majestic canopy has dropped from 49 percent coverage in 2012 to 45 percent in 2018. This is due to rapid development, an aging canopy and hard-hitting storms.
Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with roughly 60 people moving to the area every day. Developers are clearing trees to build apartment complexes to make space for all the new people coming in.
Clearing 2+ acres of trees in Mecklenburg County for residential use.
On top of that, much of the tree canopy has been aging making the harsher storms this year more impactful and making people want to avoid damage to their homes by removing them all together.
“We need trees,” said Chuck Cole, Executive Director of TreesCharlotte. He said it can be difficult to get people to understand the benefits of a healthy tree canopy — especially given that Charlotte still has more trees than many peer cities. “We need to have an education plan out there to get people to understand why we need trees. It’s not about raking leaves or not raking leaves.”
Significant findings of the survey include:
Between 2012-2018, the city lost 9,864 acres of trees but gained only 2,195 acres through plantings.
Tree loss is recorded throughout the city, with city council districts 1, 3 and 6 the hardest hit.
Many neighborhoods have lost more than 10 percent of their canopy, including Boulevard Homes, Cherry, Optimist Park, Myers Park, Chantilly, Barclay Downs and Uptown.
There was a sharp decline in the number of trees planted along streets in the “right-of-way.”
The survey, which used aerial images and LiDAR to gather the data, shows the city is going in the wrong direction to achieve its 50 percent canopy goal by 2050. A goal that is seemingly losing any real potential as explained by the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute.
The report suggests greater efforts be placed on preserving existing canopy, educating citizens about the importance of planting on their own property and more equitable distribution of trees.
You can read the full report here.
We are part of the problem but can also be part of the solution. “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best time is now.”
About TreesCharlotte: The non-profit TreesCharlotte works to grow the Queen City’s canopy through volunteer tree plantings and tree giveaways. Since its inception in 2010, it has planted/distributed more than 37,000 trees.