Measuring the amount of carbon held in an area of woodland is difficult!
As far as the trees themselves go, it is relatively straightforward to estimate the size/volume/mass of a tree, then look up the amount of carbon held in its living tissue, as determined through experimental procedures.
However, the majority of woodland carbon is stored in the soil, and measuring the balance of sequestration and emissions is far from easy. Much experimental work is currently being carried out and the Woodland Trust will closely monitor any developments.
For the time being, however, the decision has been taken to count only the carbon held in standing trees. It should be noted, though, that the Trust does not consider the carbon "rights" to reside in individual trees, but instead within the woodland as a whole. This is because in a naturally regulated system individual trees will eventually die and decay, but the resulting emissions will again be compensated as young trees grow to take advantage of the gap in the forest canopy.
Our methods therefore provide a highly conservative measure, ensuring that the size of the eventual carbon store is not overstated.
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