Charlotte follows North Carolina's invasive plant guidance. The NC Native Plant Society and NC Forest Service identify species to avoid including kudzu, Chinese privet, Bradford pear, and Japanese stiltgrass. Charlotte's tree ordinance prohibits certain invasive species in new development.
Charlotte defers to North Carolina's invasive plant lists maintained by the NC Native Plant Society and the NC Department of Agriculture. Key invasive species in the Charlotte area include kudzu (Pueraria montana), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), Bradford/Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), English ivy (Hedera helix), and autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata). North Carolina banned the sale of Bradford pear trees effective 2024. Charlotte's Tree Ordinance (Chapter 21 of City Code) requires approved tree species for street trees and development landscaping, excluding invasive species. The city's Urban Forestry division maintains an approved tree list. Mecklenburg County's Greenway program actively removes invasive species from public lands and encourages residents to plant native alternatives.
No criminal penalties for residential planting. Development landscaping with prohibited species will be rejected during plan review.
Charlotte, NC
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Charlotte, NC
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Charlotte, NC
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Charlotte, NC
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Charlotte, NC
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Charlotte, NC
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See how Charlotte's prohibited species rules stack up against other locations.
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