Planting Trees for Carbon
How much carbon a tree really absorbs, how long it takes, and the honest limits of tree planting as a way of dealing with emissions.
Questions people ask
How many trees offset one person's emissions?
For a typical developed-country footprint of 8 tonnes a year, several hundred mature trees — every year, permanently. It illustrates the scale problem rather than offering a solution.
Are carbon offset schemes worth buying?
Quality varies enormously, and several large schemes have been shown to overstate their impact. If you buy them, prefer verified permanent removal, and treat it as a last resort after reducing what you can.
Does this page work offline?
Yes, after the first visit. The service worker caches it, so the guide stays available with no connection.
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Last updated 22 August 2026