Study: Charlotte losing tree canopy in part to development

CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) — A study says the tree canopy that shades much of Charlotte is in decline.

The Charlotte Observer reports that a study by the University of Vermont says Charlotte lost 8% of its tree canopy between 2012 and 2018, and says while there’s still significant coverage, the current acreage of tree cover is threatened.

The study was done in collaboration with the nonprofit group TreesCharlotte. It said the city still had  45% of tree canopy in 2018, but it is threatened.

The city gained about 2,200 acres of canopy through replantings, but the study also found Charlotte lost nearly 10,000 acres to development.