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How Much Carbon Dioxide Do Trees Absorb Per Year?
“The average tree absorbs an average of 10 kilograms, or 22 pounds, of carbon dioxide per year for the first 20 years.”
As estimated and extrapolated from the 2018 FLR study “Global carbon dioxide removal rates from forest landscape restoration activities” by Bernal, Murray & Pearson.
🌳 Carbon Sequestration Calculator
📚 Data Basis for CO₂ Sequestration Estimates
The annual CO₂ sequestration rates used in this calculator are based on peer-reviewed studies, field research in Indian conditions, and global restoration benchmarks. Below is a summary of species-specific data used:
| Tree Species | CO₂ (kg/tree/year) | Source / Method |
|---|---|---|
| Eucalyptus (Dense) | 42 | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2024 (3x3 m spacing) |
| Eucalyptus (Fast-Rotation) | 20 | CO₂FIX Model, India short-rotation |
| Malabar Neem | 18 | Agroforestry Study, Central India (Frontiers in Agronomy, 2025) |
| Teak | 6 | CO₂FIX Model Simulation (Springer, 2010) |
| Mango | 13 | Field estimates, medium-density agroforestry in Kerala |
| Neem | 14 | Semi-arid agroforestry, Rajasthan & Karnataka |
| Tamarind | 15 | Estimates from mixed-use agroforests, Tamil Nadu |
| Cashew | 12 | W. Ghats agroforestry, carbon modeling |
| Natural Forest Mix | 10 | Bernal et al. (2018) Global Forest Landscape Restoration Study |
| Mangrove Tree | 9 | Bernal et al. (2018), Global FLR mangrove estimates, tropical Asia |
All CO₂ values represent average annual sequestration during the first 20 years of growth. Data have been converted using the standard carbon-to-CO₂ factor (1 t C = 3.67 t CO₂), and estimates assume standard tree densities for each species.
Calculation Method
Source rate (t CO₂/ha/yr) × 1000 ÷ tree density (trees/ha) = kg CO₂ per tree per year
Carbon mass converted to CO₂ by multiplying by 44/12 (~3.67)
Thoughts
Per-tree sequestration ranges from ~6 kg/tree/yr (teak) to ~70 kg/tree/yr (dense eucalyptus), but typically clusters around 20–40 kg CO₂/year for planted fast-growing trees.
Agroforestry and natural systems vary between ~4–25 kg/tree/year.
Mangroves, although lower per tree, are significant per hectare and ecologically valuable.
Explanation & Highlights
Eucalyptus: In India, dense 3×3 m plantations (~1,111 trees/ha) sequester ~20–42 kg/tree/year, depending on spacing and growth models nature.com+15doi.org+15doi.org+15.
Neem: Malabar neem agroforestry at 500 trees/ha sequesters ~16–21 kg/tree/year doi.org+9frontiersin.org+9researchgate.net+9.
Teak: Using a CO₂FIX baseline of 2 Mg C/ha/yr → ~6 kg/tree/year for 1,200 trees/ha researchgate.net+3doi.org+3doi.org+3.
Agroforestry systems: Broad range due to species and management diversity researchgate.net+6doi.org+6en.wikipedia.org+6.
Mangroves: Adopted from Bernal et al. global figure (23.1 t CO₂/ha/yr) with 2,500 trees/ha → ~9 kg/tree/year .