Atmospheric carbon reduction by urban trees

This study represents an early attempt to estimate the carbon storage of an urban forest. A stratified (by land use) random sample of 0.1-ha plots in Oakland, CA, was selected, and within each plot species, dbh, and height were measured for all trees. Allometric equations from the literature were used to estimate carbon storage. Values for Oakland (145,800 t C; 11.0 t C/ha) were extrapolated to urban areas of the United States and used to estimate the carbon loss resulting from the Oakland fire of 1991.