Area sycamore trees renamed club west trees, squirrels skeptical

CHARLOTTE — The Mecklenburg County Squirrel Council announced that sycamore trees across Charlotte will now officially open as “Club West trees,” part of what they are calling a broad effort to give the species a fresh start.

Council members said the change isn’t just cosmetic, but acknowledged that the trees will retain their bark, leaves, and interior decor. Local squirrels, however, say the rebrand appears to involve little more than calling the same tree something else.

“They can slap whatever name they want on it,” said Franklin Squirrel, a local business owner who stores his winter reserves near Latta Park. “It’s still a sycamore. We’re not stupid.”