Alliance for Cape Fear Trees aims to bring shade to Murraysville

MURRAYSVILLE, NC (WWAY) — The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees is working to bring more shade to one of New Hanover County’s hottest and least-shaded communities.

The group will give away 1,000 native canopy trees for free to Murraysville residents on Saturday, Nov. 7, as part of an effort to cool the neighborhood and create a healthier community for years to come.

“That’s one of our biggest complaints; we would love more trees,” said Murraysville resident Joey Connolley.

Joey and Gia Connolley and their daughter, Ruth, have lived in the Murraysville area since 2018. One thing they wish they had more of is trees.

“Big trees, just the whole nature feel of it. I mean, we love our house, we love the location, but its trees would really elevate it,” said Joey.

The Connolleys have planted trees in their own backyard, Gia says, both to add greenery and to support wildlife.

“We have, it was just like a big square of openness, and we really wanted something back there; we wanted to support the wildlife is a big reason, our neighborhood floods pretty bad,” said Gia.

Much of Murraysville’s tree canopy was clear-cut years ago to make way for development. The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees says the area is now more than 13 degrees hotter because of its lack of tree cover.

“It’s no longer clear-cutting to make it easy to develop,” said New Hanover County Commissioner Rob Zapple.

Zapple says the county is considering ways to change how developers approach trees as part of its 2026 comprehensive plan.

“Just those recommendations alone would really change a lot of how what the expectations are from the county to developers and individual builders when they come into an area like this and build,” said Zapple.

To help restore Murraysville’s tree canopy, the Alliance will provide five varieties of native, storm-resilient trees: Southern live oaks, American elms, red maples, black cherries, and Southern magnolias. The trees were selected for their ability to thrive in the local climate.

Isabelle Shepherd is the Alliance Executive Director and says a healthy urban community should have 30% to 40% tree cover, while some of Wilmington’s most urbanized areas have about 20%.

“That’s why we’re focusing here; the large lot sizes available to Murraysville residents also allow for meaningful canopy restoration,” said Shepherd.

For the Connolleys, the giveaway is an opportunity to add more trees to their property and help create the kind of neighborhood they want for their daughter.

The trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on Nov. 7, while supplies last.

Murraysville residents will have priority from 9 to 11 a.m. After that, any remaining trees will be available to all New Hanover County residents.

Volunteers and arborists will also be on hand to help residents select the right tree and learn how to plant and care for it.