Enter the diameter, height, and carbon fraction into the calculator to determine the amount of carbon stored in the tree. This calculator can also evaluate any of the variables given the others are known.

Tree Carbon Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the amount of carbon stored in a tree. 

C = D² * H * CF

Variables:

  • C is the carbon stored in the tree (in kilograms)
  • D is the diameter of the tree (in centimeters)
  • H is the height of the tree (in meters)
  • CF is the carbon fraction of the tree’s dry weight (usually assumed to be 0.5 or 50%)

To calculate the amount of carbon stored in a tree, square the diameter of the tree, then multiply the result by the height of the tree. Multiply this result by the carbon fraction of the tree’s dry weight to get the total amount of carbon stored in the tree.

What is a Tree Carbon?

A Tree Carbon is a term used to refer to the amount of carbon that is stored in trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and store it in their biomass, including their trunks, branches, leaves, and roots. This process is crucial in mitigating climate change as it helps to reduce the overall amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The concept of Tree Carbon is often used in discussions about carbon sequestration, carbon credits, and reforestation efforts.

How to Calculate Tree Carbon?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Carbon stored in a tree using the given formula.

  1. First, determine the diameter of the tree (D) in centimeters.
  2. Next, determine the height of the tree (H) in meters.
  3. Next, determine the carbon fraction of the tree’s dry weight (CF). This is usually assumed to be 0.5 or 50%.
  4. Next, calculate the square of the diameter of the tree (D²).
  5. Finally, use the formula C = D² * H * CF to calculate the carbon stored in the tree (C) in kilograms.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Diameter of the tree (D) = 50 centimeters

Height of the tree (H) = 10 meters

Carbon fraction of the tree’s dry weight (CF) = 0.5 or 50%