You need about 315 trees on 1,570 m² of temperate broadleaf to absorb 10 t CO₂ within 20 years. Fastest option here: tropical eucalyptus plantation (324 m²).
Trees to plant
315trees
10 t CO₂ within 20 years
Land area
1,570m²
0.39 acres
Avg uptake per tree
1.6kg CO₂/yr
over the first 20 years
Stock per tree at year 20
32kg CO₂
Avg rate per hectare
3.2t CO₂/ha/yr
peak 7.4 t/ha/yr
Absorbing in year 20
1t CO₂/yr
Target reached after
20 years
Trees per tonne of CO₂
31trees/t
in 20 years
All forest types: 20-year horizon, average site
| Forest type | Avg t CO₂/ha/yr | Hectares | Trees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperate broadleaf (oak, beech, ash) | 3.2 | 0.16 | 315 |
| Temperate conifer plantation (spruce, Douglas fir) | 7 | 0.07 | 179 |
| Temperate native woodland, natural regeneration | 2.9 | 0.17 | 278 |
| Poplar / fast-growing temperate plantation | 12.6 | 0.04 | 32 |
| Mediterranean pine & oak | 2.2 | 0.22 | 245 |
| Boreal conifer (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia) | 1.1 | 0.45 | 891 |
| Tropical moist forest regrowth | 10.7 | 0.05 | 52 |
| Tropical eucalyptus plantation | 15.4 | 0.03 | 43 |
| Tropical hardwood plantation (teak, mahogany) | 12.8 | 0.04 | 44 |
| Mangrove restoration (biomass only) | 6.8 | 0.07 | 184 |
| Urban / park trees, widely spaced | 2.8 | 0.18 | 27 |
Growth over time (per hectare)
| Year | t CO₂ stored/ha | Uptake that year (t/ha) | kg per tree |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 10 | 13 | 3 | 7 |
| 15 | 34 | 5 | 17 |
| 20 | 64 | 6.4 | 32 |
| 30 | 135 | 7.4 | 67 |
| 40 | 207 | 6.9 | 103 |
- Growth curves are calibrated to typical published rates; real stands vary ±50% with species, soil, rainfall and management. Soil carbon gains (usually small in the first decades) are not included.
- Forest carbon is only an offset while the trees stand: harvesting, fire or disease releases it. The science supports cutting emissions first and treating trees as a complement.