Tree ID, troubleshooting, pruning, and planting information.
Residential Trees
Small trees and fruit trees
For small woody ornamentals and fruit trees, please refer to our NC State Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers. Master Gardener volunteers are trained and certified volunteers who provide research-based, factual advice and recommendations for residential gardening. Master Gardener volunteers answer questions related to gardens, lawn care, pests, and plant disease issues via email, voicemail, and in person.
Phone: 980-314-1409
Email: MeckMasterGardeners@gmail.com
Please include photos and videos in your email submissions.
Large trees
For questions regarding large trees on private property, we recommend residents secure opinions from insured, licensed, certified arborists. Residents can refer to the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to find a certified arborist: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist
Trees from neighboring private property are a civil matter. You must work with your neighbor to have the issue remedied.
N.C. Cooperative Extension is not permitted to recommend any services, nor do we provide direct, on-site gardening, landscaping, and tree assistance to residents.
Right-of-way Trees (City of Charlotte)
If a tree in the right-of-way appears sick or damaged, or if there is a hanging limb, please request a tree health assessment.
Call 311 (704-336-7600 if calling from outside Mecklenburg County)
Public trees (or street trees) located within the city street right-of-way are protected by the Charlotte Tree Ordinance.
Who to contact
- Laurie Reid, City Arborist, 980-259-2771
- Vicki Aguilar, Assistant City Arborist, 980-242-1192
Do you want to plant a tree in the right-of-way yourself?
To plant a tree in the right-of-way yourself, you must first obtain a no-cost permit. You may call 311 (704-336-7600 if calling from outside Mecklenburg County) to be put in contact with the staff person who can assist you. An arborist will meet you on site to discuss the proposed planting and the required qualifications for the person planting the tree. Any planting of trees in the right-of-way without a permit will result in a notice of violation and a monetary fine.
City of Charlotte Services to Residents
Urban Forestry and Tree Ordinance Compliance - Residential
Kelli Havner - Associate Urban Forestry Specialist
- Kelli.Havner@charlottenc.gov
- 980-416-0570
Chandler Sain - Code Enforcement Inspector
- Chandler.Sain@charlottenc.gov
- 980-416-9708
Matthew Bothe - Associate Urban Forestry Specialist
- Matthew.Bothe@charlottenc.gov
- 980-416-3206
Vince Condon - Residential Project Coordinator
- Vincent.Condon@charlottenc.gov
- 704-572-9848
Urban Forestry Tree Preservation - Heritage Tree Permitting and Code Enforcement
Josh Blackburn - Preservation Code Enforcement Supervisor Joshua.Blackburn@charlottenc.gov 980-416-0691
What is a heritage tree?
Any tree native to North Carolina per the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service Plants Database with a DBH of 30 inches or greater.