TreesCharlotte Launches Tree-Gifting Program

Charlotte residents can purchase trees directly from the nonprofit

TreesCharlotte recently launched its new tree-gifting program, in which Charlotte residents can purchase trees directly from the nonprofit. The program offers two different tiers of tree gifting: Tree Delivery and School Plantings.

“With their abundant benefits, trees make a perfect holiday gift,” said Dave Cable, executive director of TreesCharlotte. “Here in Charlotte, the holidays fall during prime tree planting season, which runs from October to April. By giving a tree from TreesCharlotte, you’re helping fulfill our mission of expanding the city’s tree canopy to 50 percent by 2050, as well as providing benefits to not just your yard, but the whole region.”

The Tree Delivery option ranges in price from $150 to $225, in which Charlotte residents can choose a high-quality 15-gallon tree they can plant in their own yard or gifted to someone else. The average tree purchased at a big-box home improvement store is only 10 gallons. The Tree Delivery option offers six different species and pricing varies on the species chosen:

• October Glory Red Maple, $150
• White Oak, $150
• Eastern Redbud, $150
• Kousa Dogwood, $150
• “Little Gem” Magnolia, $175
• Sango Kaku Japanese Maple, $225

Deliveries will be conducted twice every month. The buyer will receive a certificate of dedication and have the option to purchase a brick marker for an additional $60. A portion of every tree purchase – about $30 to $40 – will go back to fund the mission of TreesCharlotte and the remainder goes to cover the cost of the trees and delivery.

“Even beyond the holidays, a tree is a unique gift to celebrate a new baby, anniversary or graduation, or could be a memorial to honor someone who has passed,” says Cable.

The School Plantings option allows you to designate a 7-gallon tree at a school or public area to be planted in memory or in honor of someone. For a $100 donation, the name of the honoree will be recognized at the planting event and the buyer will receive a certificate of dedication. There is no physical marker, but the spot will be marked on the TreesCharlotte Honorary Forest on the website. Upcoming school plantings include:

• Jan. 9, 2016 – Elon Park Elementary School
  11425 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
• March 5, 2016 – Polo Ridge Elementary School
  11830 Tom Short Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
• March 12, 2016 – Devonshire Elementary and Cochrane Academy
  6200 Starhaven Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215

The media is invited to attend these plantings along with other public events. For a full calendar of events, visit www.treescharlotte.org/calendar.

To learn more about the Tree Gifting program or to purchase a tree, visit www.TreesCharlotte.org/Gift.

About TreesCharlotte

Established in 2012, TreesCharlotte is a nonprofit partnered with the City of Charlotte that is dedicated to expanding Charlotte’s tree canopy with the goal of attaining 50% tree canopy by 2050. Achieving this goal calls for planting 500,000 trees over the coming decades. In addition to planting trees, TreesCharlotte serves as stewards of the land, protecting trees from disease and educating the public about tree care. For more information about TreesCharlotte, visit www.treescharlotte.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TreesCharlotte or on Twitter at @TreesCharlotte.