Tree Planting Offset Calculator
Calculate how many trees you need to plant to offset your annual CO2 emissions based on average carbon sequestration rates.
metric tons
kg
USD
Trees Needed
455 trees
Total Planting Cost1,365.00 USD
Cost per Ton Offset136.50 USD/ton
Trees Needed vs CO2 Absorbed per Tree per Year
How to Calculate Trees Needed to Offset CO2
Trees absorb CO2 through photosynthesis and store carbon in their biomass.
Average Sequestration
A mature tree absorbs roughly 22 kg (48 lbs) of CO2 per year, though this varies widely by species, age, and climate.
Formula
Trees Needed = (CO2 in metric tons * 1,000) / kg absorbed per tree per year
Note that young trees absorb less; it takes 5-10 years for a sapling to reach average absorption rates.
Example Calculation
Offset 10 metric tons of CO2 per year with trees absorbing 22 kg each at $3 per tree.
- 01CO2 in kg: 10 * 1,000 = 10,000 kg
- 02Trees needed: ceil(10,000 / 22) = 455 trees
- 03Total cost: 455 * $3 = $1,365
- 04Cost per ton: $1,365 / 10 = $136.50/ton