A new study from China utilized laser drones to count and map the country’s forest coverage, estimating more than 142.6 billion trees. This estimate indicates approximately 100 trees for every person living in the country.
The findings come from a team of researchers who have collected aerial data since 2015. Using drones and a laser-based method called lidar, they scanned about 540 square miles to determine tree density in various regions. The results were then used to calculate a nationwide estimate.
Lead researcher Qinghua Guo, a professor at Peking University, said the tree count might still be lower than the actual number due to limits in current technology. “In densely forested areas, overlapping canopies obstruct the accurate detection of mid-story and understory trees, leading to lower-than-actual tree counts,” Guo explained. In thick woodlands, taller trees often block the view of smaller ones, leading to an undercount.
The team used a tool called Lidar360, which applies artificial intelligence to analyze the drone data. Although advanced, Guo said improvements to the software and the addition of ground-based scanning could lead to more accurate results in future studies.
The tree density found in the study, about 279 trees per acre, differs significantly from a 2019 national forest survey, which estimated 426 trees per acre. Guo noted that the true number of trees may fall somewhere in between, but more data is needed to confirm it.
Despite the gaps, the new estimate gives scientists a clearer picture of China’s forest cover. Knowing the number and spread of trees helps researchers assess forest health and understand how much carbon is stored in vegetation — a key factor in studying climate change.
China has become the fastest and largest contributor to global greening, with various achievements made in 2024, according to a report released on the National Tree Planting Day on March 12:
– 4.446 million hectares of afforestation
– 3.224 million hectares of grass planting and… pic.twitter.com/yP2msVCDNG— People’s Daily, China (@PDChina) March 12, 2025
The team also created a detailed tree distribution map, hoping to help China better plan its reforestation efforts and meet long-term environmental goals.
“The study represents the first high-resolution mapping of tree density across China,” Guo said. “Ultimately, this research contributes to China’s approach to global sustainable ecosystem management and restoration.”
The study arrives as China claims it continues large-scale planting efforts, particularly in its northern regions. Drones will soon help expand the “Great Green Wall,” a vast forest belt meant to stop desert areas like the Gobi and Taklamakan from spreading.
Known officially as the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, the project began in 1978 and is expected to finish by 2050. With more than 66 million trees already planted, it is currently the largest man-made forest in the world.
Professor Tom Crowther at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology said the study aligns with expectations. “Globally, there are closer to 400 trees per person, but in such a densely populated region, it makes sense that this number is lower,” he said.
The research shows the extent of China’s forests and offers a foundation for future reforestation and climate efforts. Over time, more studies are expected to refine these numbers.
