How much CO2 can a tree capture?

On average, we consider a tree to offset 200 kilograms of CO2 over its lifetime, or approximately 10 kilograms per year for 20 years.

However, the CO2 captured by a tree varies considerably depending on its species but also depending on the soil and climate conditions where the tree is planted.

Some regions, like the tropics, are ideal for storing higher values of CO2, but also, and very importantly, for storing it faster. Fast-growing species are also ideal candidates to influence the speed of capturing CO2.

With over 300 species in Tree-Nation, we register values going from a few kilograms of CO2 to more than a ton over the lifetime of a tree. Although a tree will capture carbon during most of its life, its initial growth period will register the highest rate of carbon absorption. In order to follow globally established standards, we only consider the first 20 years of the life of the tree, effectively capping its total CO2 offset value.

On Tree-Nation, you can learn the estimated CO2 capture value for each species in every project. We invite you to take a look at our 'Species' section in any project to discover the CO2 capture values of each species (among its other particular characteristics).