Charlotte church may avoid fine for tree trimming

CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) — A Charlotte church may be able to avoid paying a $4,700 fine for excessively pruning eight crape myrtle trees on its property.

The Charlotte Observer reports city officials are working with Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church to reach a solution that would allow the congregation to avoid paying the penalty.

That fix could involve planting new trees and replacing the ones that were pruned.

Charlotte has a 33-year-old ordinance designed to protect trees, and has handed out even larger fines to violators. One business in town was recently fined nearly $10,000 for topping eight maple
trees.

Senior urban forester Tom Johnson says Charlotte rarely collectsthe fines. He says officials are more interested in replacing damaged trees.