Carbon Munchers

All living plant matter absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) as part of photosynthesis

Trees process significantly more than smaller plants due to their size and root structures, which are extensive. Trees are kings of the plant world. As such, they have woodier biomass to store carbon dioxide than smaller plants. We refer to this storage as “carbon sinks” or reservoirs. Planting and protecting trees are the least expensive and easiest way to offset the CO2 you generate daily and throughout your life.

With each post I will be providing a photo of me next to various trees that I have encountered in my daily routine of walking and/or hiking while traveling.  It will include information relative to that tree/species and an attempt to estimate its carbon sequestration rate (amount of CO2 absorbed over its life).

Trees by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

White Ash

White Ash in Caumsett State Park, Long Island, NY
Tree diameter 44 inches; approx. height 60 feet
CO2 sequestered: 75,670 lbs. +/- lifetime; age guess 100+/- years

Caucasian Wingnut Tree

Caucasian Wingnut Tree in Planting Fields Arboretum, Long Island, NY
Tree diameter 88 inches, height 50 feet, age 85 years.
CO2 sequestered: 127,328 lbs

White Oak

White Oak in Planting Fields Arboretum in Long Island, NY
Tree Diameter: 62.4 inches
Height: 50 feet
Age: 75 years
Carbon Sequestered: 64,282 lbs.

European Beech

European Beech in Planting Fields Arboretum in Long Island, NY
Tree Diameter: 65 inches
Height: 54 feet
Age: 80 years
Carbon Sequestered: 75,212 lbs

Eucalyptus Tree

Eucalyptus Tree in the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa, Israel.
  
Tree Diameter:  57 Inches      
Height:  50 Feet
CO2 Sequestered:  53,603 lbs
Age: 70 Years

Ficus Tree

Ficus Tree in Templar Gardens located in Acco, Israel.
 
Tree Diameter: 25 Inches
Height: 40 Feet
CO2 Sequestered:  8,249 Lbs.
Age: 50 Years

Olive Tree

Olive Tree
Located on the Jordan River in Israel.
 
Tree Diameter: 21 Inches
Height: 14 Feet
CO2 Sequestered:  2,037.22 Lbs.
Age: 100 Years

Catalpa Tree

Catalpa Tree
Located in Amityville, NY.
 
Tree Diameter: 51 Inches
Height: 60 Feet
CO2 Sequestered:  50,771 lbs. 
Age: 60+ Years

Sycamore Tree

Sycamore Tree (Pinchot) located in Simsbury, CT.
 
Tree Diameter: 111.72 Inches
Height: 100 +/- Feet
CO2 Sequestered:  411,844 lbs.
Age: 200+ Years (Possibly 300 years)

Sugar Maple

Sugar Maple Tree located at Bayard Cutting Arboretum in East Islip, NY.
 
Tree Diameter: 49.7 Inches
Height: 52 Feet
CO2 Sequestered:  42,383 lbs. 
Age: 70-80 Years 

Scarlet Oak Tree

Scarlet Oak Tree located in Amityville, NY.  
 
Tree Diameter: 46.5 Inches
Height: 50 Feet
CO2 Sequestered:  40,425 lbs. 
Age: 80 +/- Years 

Tulip Tree

Tulip Tree in Allentown, PA.  
Tree Diameter: 42.36 Inches
Height:  65 Ft
Carbon Sequestered: 38,485 Lbs
Age: 80 years

American Beech

American Beech:

Circumference: 6′ 9”,

Height: 42 ft.

Tree Diameter: 25.8 inches.

Age: 65 +/- years.

CO2 Sequestered: 9226.2 lbs

Hickory Tree

Hickory Tree located in Peaks of Otter Park in Bedford, Virginia.
Tree Diameter:  83.4 inches
Height:  59 feet
CO2 Sequestered: 135,411 lbs
Age: 90 years +/-