Tree Cutting in Charlotte, NC

The City of Charlotte oversees trees in the public right-of-way (street trees); contact the city's Landscape Management office to confirm whether a tree is city-maintained before any work. The Charlotte Tree Ordinance and UDO Article 20 apply mainly to development; existing single-family homes are generally exempt from those tree-save requirements.

Willow oak: signature street and yard tree; many near end of life Loblolly pine: ice and wind breakage in newer subdivisions Tulip poplar: tall, fast, limb drop

Much of the historic canopy is old; decay, dieback and limb drop are common.

Freezing rain across the Piedmont breaks pines and hardwoods.

Storms like Hugo (1989), still remembered for its canopy damage, and later remnants bring wind on saturated soil.

Older neighborhoods have big oaks in narrow planting strips and backyards with overhead service drops. Suburban lots toward Ballantyne and University have younger trees and pines left from lot clearing.