Trees start contributing to climate protection as soon as they begin to grow. As they grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass.
The rate at which trees capture carbon depends on how much biomass they add each year. This is influenced by factors such as the size of the tree, its growth rate, the density of its wood, and the environmental conditions it grows in. As a result, carbon sequestration varies significantly between species and across different regions.
Peak periods of carbon uptake occur both in rapidly growing young trees and in large, mature trees. While young trees grow quickly, mature trees continue to add substantial amounts of biomass each year through diameter growth simply because of their size. Geography also plays a role: trees in the northern hemisphere pause photosynthesis and carbon capture during winter, whereas trees in tropical regions absorb carbon year-round.
Forest restoration also contributes to climate protection beyond individual trees. Healthy, connected forest ecosystems store carbon not only in vegetation, but also in soils, and are more resilient to environmental changes. Improving connectivity between forest areas helps strengthen these ecosystems and supports long-term carbon storage. Protecting existing forests is therefore just as important as restoring new ones, as their loss would significantly increase atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
