Charlotte Aims To Add 500,000 New Trees by 2050, Brings Back Historic Tree Program

By 2050, Charlotte wants its green cover to grow from 47% to 50%. The city plans to plant half a million trees. This marks the return of a key project that watches over the city's oldest plants.

"We have state champions and really spectacular trees all over Charlotte," said Heather Brent, an urban forest educator, according to CBS17.

After a long break since 2000, the Treasure Trees Program is active again. Back then, it tracked 120 special trees. Now, Brett Dupree works with staff to watch and size up these old giants across the county.

One star of the program is an 84-year-old bur oak. Its trunk spans 16 feet wide, while its branches stretch 120 feet across the sky. Standing 80 feet tall, this mighty oak earned its spot among state champions.

In Myers Park's Duke Mansion, you'll find Velva's Tree: a yellow poplar that towers 92 feet high. It leads the current group of Treasure Trees. Close by stands a protected Eastern red cedar.

Each special tree now shows a QR code tag. Scan it, and your phone reveals facts about these living landmarks. "You can't love what you don't know," says Mara Lind, who runs marketing at TreesCharlotte.

Since 2000, the list has changed a lot. Some trees died naturally. Others fell short of stricter rules. Staff now keep watch to stop more trees from vanishing.

"We really want to protect them, we want people to notice them so that they don't just cut them down because they want to develop something in its place," Brent said.

Workers check tree height and health often. These visits make sure the trees stay strong for both animals and people who live nearby.

Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary adds to this green network with its own yellow poplar. Such spots create safe zones for Charlotte's oldest trees, spread across many blocks.