WELCOME TO TREEMAIL

Dear City of Trees Supporter,

Welcome to our inaugural issue of TreeMail! Every other month, you'll get the latest from the City of Trees, including upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, educational tidbits and tips on how to take care of our cherished tree canopy. Welcome aboard!

April is Earth Month, and it's a reminder to slow down and pay attention to what’s right outside our doors.

I’ve loved being outside my whole life. That curiosity about trees, insects, and how everything connects is what led me to this work, and it still drives me today as Charlotte’s City Arborist.

At Landscape Management, we focus on the big picture: to protect our tree canopy and keep trees healthy across the city. But the reality is, most of Charlotte’s trees are on private property. What residents do -- planting, observing and caring for their trees -- it all matters.

A big part of my job is education. Often, when something looks wrong, people blame insects or diseases, but more often, trees are stressed from environmental conditions. When we understand that, we can care for them better.

This Earth Month, take a closer look at the trees around you. Get curious. Be a tree detective.

That connection is what helps us build a healthier, more resilient Charlotte.

Sincerely,
Laurie Reid, City Arborist

Register Your Pollinator Habitat or Naturalistic Landscape with the City

Did you know the city's nuisance vegetation ordinance was recently updated to allow pollinator habitats and naturalistic landscapes? If they are well managed and registered with the city, these habitats may qualify for an exemption from the ordinance. 

Video: City staff explain the program and how to register your habitat.

We’re celebrating Charlotte’s tree canopy all month long. From community pop-ups to hands-on volunteer days to one of the city’s most popular Arbor Day traditions, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Saturday, April 10 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Earth Day Pop-Up at Charlotte SHOUT! (The Green)
Connect with the team and explore Charlotte’s tree canopy work.
No registration needed

Friday, April 10 | 9 – 11 a.m.
2026 Spring Break Pollinator Garden Planting at Piney Grove Elementary
Help us plant pollinator habitats during Spring Break!
Sign up

Saturday, April 11 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m
Earth Day Pop-Up at The Independent Picture House
Connect with the team and explore Charlotte’s tree canopy work.
Learn more

Monday, April 13 | 6:30 p.m.
Arbor Day Proclamation at City Council Business Meeting
Mayor Vi Lyles issues a proclamation recognizing April 24, 2026 as Arbor Day in Charlotte.
Learn more

Wednesday April 15 & Tuesday, April 21 | 9 a.m. - noon
Plant it Forward: A TAG Woodland Planting Series
Dig in and help us plant a woodland pollinator habitat at Tuckaseegee Arboretum & Gardens.
Sign up for both events or just one!

Thursday, April 23 at dusk
Arbor Week Skyline Lighting in Uptown
Charlotte's skyline lights up in green for Arbor Week.

Friday, April 24
Arbor Week Tree Quiz
Challenge your tree knowledge and learn something new! Watch your inbox on Arbor Day!

Saturday, April 25 | 9 – 11 a.m.
TreeTops & Tombstones at Elmwood Cemetery
A guided walking tour of the cemetery that includes a ceremonial tree planting, tree ID tips and  fascinating historical tidbits.

NOTE: This event is full but a waitlist is available. Participants are added in the order they registered and will receive an email confirmation. Media is welcome.
Sign up. 

SAVE THE DATE! 
Saturday, May 30 | 8 – 11 a.m.
2nd Annual Pollinator Plant Giveaway & TAG Tour
Let's kick off Pollinator Week with free plants to help you jump-start your own pollinator habitat. Watch your inbox in May for details.

NOTICE OF ACCOMMODATIONS
City of Charlotte does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We will provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to persons with disabilities upon request. Contact Vicki Aguilar at vicki.aguilar@charlottenc.gov to make arrangements.

Charlotte Named "Tree City of the World"

On March 17, Charlotte earned global recognition as a Tree City of the World, a designation that highlights the city’s commitment to caring for and growing its urban forest. This recognition, awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation and the United Nations' Food & Agriculture Organization, means Charlotte meets five core standards:

• Has clear leadership for tree care;
• Has strong policies and ordinances;
• Has an up-to-date tree inventory;
• Has dedicated funding for tree management; and
• Has ongoing public engagement through events like Arbor Day.

Together, these efforts reflect Charlotte’s long-term investment in protecting its tree canopy, educating residents and building a greener, more resilient city.

This honor adds to the city’s 46-year designation as a Tree City USA, adding another jewel to Charlotte's leafy crown!

Interested in a Free Street Tree? 

Find out if you're eligible for a FREE street tree to beautify your yard and enhance our urban canopy! The City of Charlotte Arborist Group is accepting street tree planting request forms from people who would like to add a tree to the right-of-way next to their property. Just fill one out and find out if you have room in your right-of-way!

Tree Care Tip: Watering Your Trees

Keeping your trees happy starts with smart watering! Aim to keep the soil moist, but never soggy, by watering deeply about once a week. Tree roots need oxygen, so overwatering can be just as harmful as underwatering.

A simple five-gallon bucket with drilled holes works great for a slow soak that ensures moisture reaches the root zone but prevents runoff. Increase watering during hotter, drier weather, and water in the morning or evening for best results.

Video: City Arborist Laurie Reid demonstrates proper watering technique.

From the Blog: Charlotte in Bloom

Spring is starting to show up across Charlotte. From budding trees to early blooms popping up in every neighborhood, the shift is subtle, but it’s happening everywhere. Want to know what to look for and why it matters? Take a closer look at the first signs of the season. Start with the details—the shape of new buds, the color of fresh leaves and the trees that bloom before anything else fills in. Some show up with soft greens and others with deep reds or purples. It’s not random. These early changes are part of how each tree grows, adapts and supports the environment around it.

Tree Spotlight: Flowering Dogwood

You may have noticed a tree around Charlotte that's covered in soft pink or white flowers on the branches. That's the Flowering Dogwood. While this species is the state tree of Missouri and Virginia, its flower is actually the state flower of North Carolina!

These trees show up early in the spring and manage to steal the spotlight before most trees even wake up. And here's the fun part: Those "petals" aren't actually petals. They're brachts, which are basically leaves doing a costume change. Their whole job is to show off, making the tree impossible to miss so pollinators can find the tiny, not-so-impressive flowers at the center. Early in the spring. when options are limited, that visibility really matters.

And because it's native to Charlotte, it's doing more than showing off. It's supporting pollinators right when they need it the most. So next time you see one, look a little closer. It's not just blooming; it's carrying out a critical function of the pollinator life cycle! 

Video: Ramona Holloway explains why these trees are so special.