You've probably heard that trees produce oxygen, but have you ever wondered just how much oxygen one tree makes? The amount of oxygen produced by a tree depends on several factors, but here are some typical calculations.
The atmosphere of the Earth has a different composition from that of other planets in part due to the biochemical reactions of Earth's organisms.
You'll hear a range of numbers and ways of presenting them because the amount of oxygen produced by a tree depends on the species of tree, its age, its health, and also on the tree's surroundings. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, a mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year.
Here are some other figures regarding the amount of oxygen produced by a tree:
A single mature tree can absorb carbon dioxide at a rate of 48 lbs./year and release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support 2 human beings.
One acre of trees annually consumes the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent to that produced by driving an average car for 26,000 miles. This same acre of trees also produces enough oxygen for 18 people to breathe for a year.
On average, one tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year. Two mature trees can provide enough oxygen for a family of four.
As you can see, trees do a lot more for the environment and us overall than just producing oxygen. So the next time you are contemplating removing a tree, remember how much that tree does not only for the planet - But you and your family as well.
Perhaps we should be planting more trees, instead of inventing quicker ways of removing them from our planet.