Trees in neighborhoods enhance our environment by creating beautiful green landscapes, providing climbing fun for kids, and offering us shade on sunny days. More importantly, trees play vital roles in our ecosystems, including storing carbon, which is advantageous when discussing the management of greenhouse gases.

Sources of carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that can originate from many sources.

• Carbon dioxide we exhale with each breath  
• Burning fossil fuel
• Decaying organisms
• Weathering carbonate rocks
• Emissions from transportation
• Methane emissions from livestock

While we need greenhouse gases, their rising accumulation in our atmosphere is a concern. The continual increase in greenhouse gases is central to discussions on climate change and rising global temperatures.

How trees and forests store carbon

Trees help take in and store carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to excessive amounts of carbon in our atmosphere. In a natural forest, plants capture a significant portion of carbon, and soil sequesters amounts as well. When analyzing how much carbon a forest can store, it’s important to consider the whole ecosystem including trees, shrubs, soils, and decomposing organic matter like leaf litter.

Typically, forests gain more carbon over time because the carbon uptake through photosynthesis by living plants exceeds the carbon released through the decomposition of dead organic matter. The more a tree grows, the more carbon it can hold. Trees in natural forested areas tend to have greater biomass; therefore, they hold more carbon than those in urban areas. About 50% of a tree’s dry weight is carbon, and trees that grow quicker are often preferred in the carbon market because they absorb carbon dioxide faster through their growth.

Trees are often called carbon sinks due to their ability to take in carbon dioxide. One mature tree can absorb over 48 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. It’s then stored in the tree’s fibers until it burns or decomposes.

Forests, parks, and other green spaces with trees play a crucial role in this carbon storage process. The natural world is very intricate in how it takes care of itself. As we continue to find ways to live and develop alongside nature, we can embrace natural beauty and work towards reducing excess carbon dioxide.