Trees may store less planet-heating carbon than hoped, study suggests

The Guardian World Saturday 13 June 2026, 04:00 UTC By Ajit Niranjan 1 min read

Key Points

Photosynthesis does not always result in wood growth, a key factor in carbon dioxide sequestrationTrees may not be able to store as much planet-heating carbon as hoped, a study suggests, with researchers finding photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth. Scientists studied 137 sites across the US and found trees stopped growing months before the point in the year at which photosynthesis stopped.

Photosynthesis does not always result in wood growth, a key factor in carbon dioxide sequestration

Trees may not be able to store as much planet-heating carbon as hoped, a study suggests, with researchers finding photosynthesis does not always lead to wood growth.

Scientists studied 137 sites across the US and found trees stopped growing months before the point in the year at which photosynthesis stopped.

Photosynthesis (ORG) US (LOCATION)

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