Reforestation Cost Calculator

Estimate per-acre costs for tree planting projects including seedlings, site preparation, labor, and maintenance.

Inputs

Area to Reforest

acres

Planting Density

trees/acre

Tree Species Type

Site Preparation Level

Maintenance Period

years

Labor Cost Region

Tab to move between fields

Results

Total Project Cost

$83,500.00

≈ 8 years of state college

Cost per Acre

$1,670.00

≈ 13 pairs of sneakers

Total Trees to Plant20,000

All-In Cost per Tree$4.18

Seedling Cost$25,000.00

Site Preparation Cost$25,000.00

Planting Labor Cost$8,000.00

Maintenance Cost$18,000.00

20-Year Carbon Sequestration10,000 tCO2

Carbon Cost per Ton$8.35

Expected Survivors (5 yr)16,400

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the area to reforest in acres and target planting density (trees per acre).
Select tree species type (native hardwood, conifers, mixed, etc.).
Set site preparation level and maintenance period in years.
Select the labor cost region for your project area.
Review total project cost, cost per acre, and cost per tree for grant applications and budgeting.

How the result changes with Area to Reforest

Area to Reforest	Total Project Cost	Cost per Acre
10,000	$16,700,000.00	$1,670.00
35,000	$58,450,000.00	$1,670.00
65,000	$108,550,000.00	$1,670.00
90,000	$150,300,000.00	$1,670.00

What each input means

Area to Reforest: Total area to be planted in acres.
Planting Density: Number of trees per acre. Typical: 300-600 for timber, 100-200 for savanna restoration.
Tree Species Type: 1 = Native Hardwood, 2 = Conifer, 3 = Mixed Native, 4 = Fast-Growing, 5 = Tropical.
Site Preparation Level: 1 = Minimal (mow/herbicide), 2 = Moderate (mechanical + chemical), 3 = Intensive (clear, grade, amend).
Maintenance Period: Number of years of active maintenance (mowing, herbicide, replanting). Typically 2-5 years.
Labor Cost Region: 1 = Southeast US, 2 = Northeast US, 3 = Western US, 4 = International (lower cost).

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Area to Reforest = 50, Planting Density = 400, Tree Species Type = 3, Site Preparation Level = 2 = 6 input(s) provided
Calculate Total Project Cost
Total Project Cost
83500 = $83,500
Calculate Cost per Acre
Cost per Acre
1670 = $1,670
Calculate Total Trees to Plant
Total Trees to Plant
20000 = 20000
Calculate All-In Cost per Tree
All-In Cost per Tree
4.18 = $4.18

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