How Much Oxygen Does One Tree Make?

On average, a single mature tree can produce enough oxygen each year for about two people to breathe.

That means if you and your best friend were stranded in the woods, one tree could literally help you both keep breathing. Talk about a life saver.

Trees act like quiet, leafy air factories. Through a process called photosynthesis, they take in carbon dioxide (what we breathe out) and release oxygen (what we breathe in). It’s nature’s recycling at its finest.

Here’s the fun part: A full-grown tree can pump out about 260 pounds of oxygen each year. That’s roughly what two adults need to stay alive and breathing comfortably.

Now imagine this — a single acre of trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people every year. That’s like an entire classroom, powered by one small forest.

And trees don’t just stop at oxygen. They cool cities, house wildlife, and even help us feel calmer just by being around them. In fact, hospital patients with a view of trees tend to heal faster. That’s how powerful these green giants really are.

So next time you pass by a tree, give it a nod — it might be helping someone breathe right now.

Try this at home:
Go for a short walk and count how many mature trees you can find. How many people do you think they could keep breathing each year?