How many trees would need to be planted to offset the CO2 of a typical three bedroom new-build house?

Question

We build properties of a traditional construction and timber frame construction. However we would grateful for an average so that we can plant some trees!!

Answer 1

Depends which type of tree, but trees that shed their leaves are the best because they along with trees that grow are the only ones that have a net consumption of CO2 and production of O2.

Evergreens that arent growing consume CO2 to make food, but then respire and release it all again. So when they stop growing, they dont consume CO2.

Answer 2

The people you are getting your timber from are already doing that.  They have a vested interest in replacing trees that are used for home building and other uses.  The foresters practice sustainable yield.  When they harvest an area they replant it.  I am a forester and I work at a tree nursery where we grow, plant, and distribute 3-5 million tree seedlings year.  Some of our buyers can plant up to a million a year.  If they weren't worried about sustainable yeild they would be out of business very soon.

Answer 3

It's good to hear there are some builders with a sense of responsibility to the environment.

Letting mother nature plant her own choice of tree (or any other plant) is by far the best option. But  she can't do that unless we allow her some land to do it on.

The idea that we can offset carbon emissions by planting trees is much questioned by science now. Better to spend the money ensuring the future of rainforests.

There's lots of info on the web about "green building techniqes"/"sustainable building" etc but I expect you've already been there.

Answer 4

need full data reg.  area etc

Answer 5

I would plant at least  1000 maybe more

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

You need to ask all your suppliers about thier products, or do research for your materials, cement is going to be a one. If you are going to offset then you may find it cheaper to spend some time looking into a few alternative materials, I think there are some breeze blocks being made out of recycled materials for starters.

Unfortunately trees don't hold the carbon for ever, they release it as soon as they are burnt or decompose. Having done your sums for the carbon footprint then you can take it to a carbon offset company, or even better, buy an appropriate chunk of the european carbon quota, that would save some of the scrutiny you may want to give the offset companys.

Good luck.

Answer 8

Keep in mind they are harvesting before the seedlings have a chance to grow. Each person uses 18 trees a year. S0 300 million times eighteen

Answer 9

maybe try this good luck,  If you scroll down a ways on that wiki pedia page you'll see they real particular about tree planting

Answer 10

Ask the builder how many trees they removed to make way for your house!

It never ceases to amaze me that we clear large areas of plants and trees to build houses, and then we go and re-plant everything!

Even better though, we usually replace very effective plant life (in regards to preserving a local balance for our environment) with plants that are completly unsuited to the environment (But it's okay because they look pretty!)

Answer 11

gee Mr Gore i have no idea

how about you plant some pretty ones in your landscaping and we will call it even

Answer 12

Offsetting your carbon footprint.  What a load of.......

Look if you really want to help the environment, get the world leaders to bang their heads together.  Find other jobs for Brazilian/Malaysian forest clearers, and replant the rain forests.

So in answer to your question approx 4 billion should do!!

Answer 13

25 and happy planting!