Calculate trees needed to offset emissions and the time to sequester them.
A mature tree absorbs roughly 21 kg of CO2 annually, but young trees absorb far less, so the offset accrues gradually over decades. Planting must exceed the requirement to allow for mortality. Tree planting offsets emissions over decades while the emissions occur now, which is why it complements rather than replaces reducing emissions at source.
Tree Planting Offset
Trees = annual emissions ÷ sequestration per tree, adjusted for survival rate
Trees = annual emissions ÷ sequestration per tree, adjusted for survival rate A mature tree absorbs roughly 21 kg of CO2 annually, but young trees absorb far less, so the offset accrues gradually over decades. Planting must exceed the requirement to allow for mortality.
Tree planting offsets emissions over decades while the emissions occur now, which is why it complements rather than replaces reducing emissions at source.
This calculator takes 5 inputs: Annual emissions to offset, Sequestration per tree per year, Tree survival rate, Cost per tree planted, Years to reach full sequestration. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.