SMRTR Science & EngineeringJul 14, 2026Interesting Engineering

How many trees exist on Earth? A look at the numbers behind our forests

SMRTR summary

Scientists estimate there are about 3.04 trillion trees on Earth, nearly eight times higher than earlier estimates, thanks to satellite imagery, AI, and over 400,000 ground measurements. However, Earth has lost roughly 46% of its original tree cover since human civilization began, with over 15 billion trees removed yearly. Experts warn that planting new trees cannot replace protecting mature forests, which store far more carbon and support greater biodiversity.

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