What TreesCharlotte does

TreesCharlotte is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 46-3867007) founded in 2012 as a public-private collaborative initiative between the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and community stakeholders, with the explicit goal of achieving 50% tree canopy coverage in Charlotte by 2050. Current canopy coverage stands at 46%, requiring an estimated 15,000 new trees planted annually against an initial baseline of 4,056 trees planted in the founding year. The organization distributes trees primarily free or at subsidized cost to Mecklenburg County residents through seasonal TreeAdoption events (capped at two trees per registration), neighborhood-scale CommunityWoods plantings (25+ trees per host), school plantings, and street tree programs operated in partnership with the City of Charlotte. Service is geographically restricted to Mecklenburg County residents, with priority access given to eight under-canopied zip codes (28205, 28206, 28208, 28212, 28213, 28214, 28216, 28217) as part of the Treesilience Initiative focused on environmental equity.

The organization operates without proprietary technology. Its technical footprint is limited to off-the-shelf SaaS: GivePulse for event registration (TreeMaster/TreeKeeper trainings, speaker series), calendar subscription integrations (Google Calendar, iCalendar, Outlook 365), a secure donation processing site at secure.treesCharlotte.org, and standard social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn). Core operational value is delivered through a trained volunteer ecosystem — TreeMasters (planting leaders) and TreeKeepers (long-term care stewards) — supported by a small staff of approximately eight (Executive Director Allison Rhodes, Business Director Heike Biller, Director of Philanthropy Beth Brodie, Director of Programs Krysten Reilly, Community Engagement Manager Joi Mayo, Urban Forest Educator Heather Brent, Events and Volunteer Manager Christian Battistini, Urban Forest Manager Alex Smith) and a 17-member Board of Directors chaired by Mary N. Hall, MD.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations across individual giving ($50–$5,000 tiers with impact-quantified outcomes), corporate sponsorships (Development Manager handles corporate partnerships), and planned giving/stock gifts/endowment contributions. A $1 million endowment was received from the C.D. Spangler Foundation in December 2022 in honor of co-founder Rolfe Neill. Educational and engagement programming expanded in 2026 with the launch of the Treesilience Initiative, the Between Two Oaks virtual summer speaker series, and the Rooted & Reading book club, broadening the organization's product surface beyond direct tree distribution toward community-facing content and stewardship.

Name

TreesCharlotte

Legal name

TreesCharlotte

Website

https://treescharlotte.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TreesCharlotte is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that plants and stewards urban trees across Mecklenburg County, NC through seasonal TreeAdoptions, CommunityWoods neighborhood plantings, and volunteer-led stewardship programs, targeting 50% tree canopy coverage by 2050.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Forestry and Tree Canopy Conservation Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Tree Planting & Transplanting (HSAIADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL), Tree Care & Arborist Services (BPABADAD), Tree Health Care (Diagnosis, Treatment, Fertilization) (HSAIADAD)

Keywords

• Urban tree canopy
• Community tree planting
• Volunteer tree stewardship
• Nonprofit environmental services
• Tree adoption programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute at various levels ($50-$5,000+) to support tree planting and stewardship programs.
2. Corporate Giving and Sponsorships: Corporate support through sponsorships and donations. Development Manager handles corporate partnerships.
3. Planned Giving and Stock Gifts: Accepts planned giving, stock gifts, and endowment contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TreesCharlotte is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that plants and cares for trees across Mecklenburg County through community-driven programs including residential TreeAdoptions, neighborhood-scale CommunityWoods plantings, school plantings, and TreeCare stewardship events. It trains volunteers (TreeMasters and TreeKeepers), provides tree species selection and care education, and partners with the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to advance the goal of 50% tree canopy coverage by 2050. The organization is funded primarily by individual and corporate donations, with operations centered on free or subsidized tree distribution to residents.

Product overview

TreesCharlotte is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of community tree planting and conservation programs. The organization's product portfolio centers on its core TreeAdoptions program, which provides trees to Mecklenburg County residents through scheduled adoption events. Supporting programs include CommunityWoods for neighborhood-wide plantings, School Plantings for educational settings, and TreeCare Events for ongoing stewardship. The volunteer engagement structure features TreeMaster and TreeKeeper Training programs that develop volunteer leaders for planting and maintenance activities. Educational offerings include the Between Two Oaks virtual speaker series, Rooted & Reading Book Club, and TreeSpeakers advocacy program. Additional offerings include the Treasure Trees conservation program celebrating exceptional local trees, the Treesilience Initiative for community resilience, and the TreeGift commemorative gifting program. The organization also provides extensive tree education resources covering planting, care, and species selection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Between Two Oaks: Virtual summer speaker series exploring tree-inspired topics from art, history, to ecology
• Rooted & Reading
• TreeMaster
• TreeKeeper
• TreeSpeakers
• Treasure Trees
• Treesilience Initiative

Products and services

• TreeAdoptions Community tree adoption program where Mecklenburg County residents register (up to 2 trees per registration) to receive trees for their yards at seasonal events; priority given to under-canopied zip codes.
• CommunityWoods Neighborhood-scale tree planting program enabling communities, houses of faith, HOAs, and nonprofits to host group planting events for 25 or more trees.
• TreeMaster Training Volunteer leadership certification program training community members in volunteer management, proper planting techniques, and tree care/maintenance; graduates lead planting events and adoptions.
• TreeKeeper Training Volunteer stewardship certification training for tree care activities including pruning, mulching, and stake removal at TreeCare events.
• TreeCare Events Ongoing stewardship events where volunteers maintain previously planted trees through pruning, mulching, and other care activities.
• School Plantings Tree planting programs delivered at schools throughout Charlotte to engage students and expand canopy on educational campuses.
• Seedling Reforestation Program focused on reforestation through distribution and planting of tree seedlings across the Charlotte area.
• Treesilience Initiative Initiative focused on building community resilience in under-canopied neighborhoods through targeted urban forestry and stewardship.
• Educational & Outreach Events Educational programming including speaker series, workshops, and community presentations about trees, ecology, and environmental stewardship.
• Between Two Oaks Virtual Summer Speaker Series Virtual speaker series exploring tree-inspired topics across science, art, history, and ecology with local experts.
• Rooted & Reading Book Club Tree-focused book club exploring literature about trees, nature, and environmental stewardship with quarterly reading selections and social gatherings.
• Treasure Trees Program identifying and celebrating Charlotte's exceptional trees including notable species, largest specimens, and heritage trees with site visits and documentation.
• TreeSpeakers Tree advocacy program training volunteers to educate the community about the importance of urban trees and canopy conservation.
• TreeGift Commemorative tree gifting program allowing individuals to dedicate trees to loved ones as meaningful tribute gifts.
• Street Trees Program Program providing trees for street and public right-of-way plantings in partnership with the City of Charlotte to expand canopy along roadways.

Quantifiable outcome

• Planting 4,056 trees in first year (2012)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, foundational and minor.

• City of CharlottecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary municipal partner in the public-private initiative. City provides support through the Chief Urban Forester and City Arborist liaisons. TreesCharlotte works toward the City's 50% tree canopy goal by 2050.
• Mecklenburg CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in urban forest initiatives. County provides support through liaisons including the Tree Canopy Programs Manager.
• Catawba Lands ConservancyfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreesCharlotte originated as an initiative under Catawba Lands Conservancy. Founder Dave Cable came from this organization which seeded the TreesCharlotte concept.
• American ForestscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit tree conservancy that conducted tree inventory for Charlotte, named Charlotte one of 10 best cities for urban forests, and manages the Liberty Tree seed propagation program.
• Charlotte Arborists AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit organization that co-sponsors tree-related events including the annual Tree Climbing Competition in Freedom Park.
• Heartwood Tree ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal tree care company founded by Patrick George. George helped revive the Treasure Trees Program and maintains trees at Freedom Park including the cherry trees and Liberty Tree.
• UNC CharlotteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner where TreesCharlotte volunteers and board members are affiliated. Dr. Jason Newton is Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of History.
• Queen\'s CrownminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit dedicated to celebrating great trees of Mecklenburg County, founded by Patrick George and Patrick Anderson to preserve Treasure Trees Program documentation.
• 1% for the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTreesCharlotte is a member of 1% for the Planet, receiving exposure through their directory of environmental nonprofits.
• Charity NavigatorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDisplaying Charity Navigator seal indicates financial transparency rating for donor confidence.
• Candid (GuideStar)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDisplays Candid transparency seal indicating nonprofit transparency and good governance practices.
• Recover BrandsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Earth Month merchandise (closed loop clothing network) with TreesCharlotte branding.
• Wing Haven Gardens & Bird SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocation of notable Treasure Trees including a national champion Vitex tree, hosts Treasure Tree events.
• Petty Thieves Brewing Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent space sponsor for Rooted & Reading Book Club socials, providing venue for community engagement events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Forests: National nonprofit dedicated to conserving and restoring forests, including urban forest programs. Named TreesCharlotte a top-10 city and is an active partner; directly comparable as a forestry-conservation nonprofit.
• Casey Trees: Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit focused on urban tree planting, canopy goals, and volunteer-driven tree care. Operates the same public-private, volunteer-led urban forestry model as TreesCharlotte.
• Friends of Trees: Portland-based nonprofit that plants and cares for trees in neighborhoods and natural areas through volunteer events. Most direct functional peer in tree-adoption and community planting programming.
• Tree Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh-area nonprofit focused on urban tree planting, community forestry, and tree canopy equity. Closely mirrors TreesCharlotte's neighborhood planting and stewardship model in a different metro.
• Urban Conservancy (New Orleans): New Orleans nonprofit promoting sustainable urban environments, including tree canopy advocacy. Comparable as a city-level nonprofit combining conservation advocacy with on-the-ground urban greening.

Others

• Catawba Lands Conservancy: Charlotte-area land conservancy from which TreesCharlotte was originally incubated (founder Dave Cable). Operates as a regional conservation partner rather than a direct urban forestry peer.

Broad incumbents

• Bartlett Tree Experts: National commercial tree care and arborist company; TreesCharlotte board member Patrick Franklin is a VP there. Comparable adjacency through professional arboriculture and urban tree services at commercial scale.
• The Davey Tree Expert Company: Large, established commercial tree care and urban forestry services provider with utility vegetation and municipal contracts. Comparable as an incumbent in the broader tree-care and urban forestry services category.
• The Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that funds and advocates for urban parks, green spaces, and tree canopy in U.S. cities. Comparable through urban-canopy prioritization and partnership with municipal governments on tree-planting goals.

Regional players

• Heartwood Tree Service: Charlotte-area commercial tree care company (founded by Patrick George) that maintains high-profile TreesCharlotte plantings including the Liberty Tree. Functions as a service provider and operational partner rather than a like-for-like nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/treescharlotte
• Facebookfacebook.com/treescharlotte
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/treescharlotte
• Instagraminstagram.com/treesclt

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TreesCharlotte