CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) – Up until recent days, Charlotte was on quite a hot streak of weather this summer, forcing many of us to find refuge under the cover of trees.

Especially on searing summer days, it feels like we’ve got it made in the shade beneath Charlotte’s vast tree canopy.

“We have state champions and really spectacular trees all over Charlotte,” said Heather Brent, an urban forest educator for the nonprofit TreesCharlotte.

The canopy covers 47 percent of Charlotte and is a distinct feature of the Queen City aka The City of Trees. According to TreesCharlotte, 500,000 trees need to be planted here by 2050 to increase the tree canopy from 47 to their goal of 50 percent.

A big part of that equation includes preserving the landmark trees with generations of history.

“It’s good

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