The countries with the most trees

It is estimated that there are three trillion trees on earth. You would expect most of these trees to be found in countries that have large rainforests.  

Some of the countries that are known for their rainforests include Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Peru and Colombia.  

But do these countries have the highest number of trees? According to a recent study, not necessarily. 

Which countries have the most trees? 

A study carried out by data experts, World Meters, analysed “tree wealth” in 224 countries to find the countries with the highest tree density. 

Here are the results: 

1. Russia 

With 642 billion trees, Russia is the country with the most amount of trees. It is estimated that 45 per cent of Russia’s landmass is made up of forest. 

2. Canada 

Canada has 318 billion trees. That’s just under half the number of trees as first-place Russia. Around 40 per cent of the country’s landmass is covered with trees — the majority of which are spruces. 

3. Brazil

Despite being home to 60 per cent of the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil has less than half the tree density of Russia, with 302 billion trees. 

4. United States

In fourth place is the United States with 228 billion trees. Approximately 30 per cent of the US is tree-covered, with Alaska as the most forested state. 

5. China

China comes fifth in the study, with a tree population of 140 billion. Trees cover roughly 23 per cent of the country’s land mass.  

6. Democratic Republic of the Congo

Taking sixth place is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has 101 billion trees. This makes it one of the few forested countries in Africa and one of the top ten countries in the world for forest cover. 

7. Indonesia

With nearly 81 billion trees, Indonesia comes seventh for forest cover. Along with Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the country’s forests are some of the most biologically diverse in the world. 

8. Australia

Australia is in eighth place with almost 77 billion trees, according to the findings. Many of the country’s trees are native eucalyptus, or “gum trees”. 

9. Bolivia

Bolivia has just over 59 billion trees, which puts it ninth in the study. Bolivia has 50 per cent tree cover, and, like Indonesia, Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a high level of biodiversity. 

10. Mexico

With almost 57 billion trees, Mexico takes the tenth spot. Again, its forests are home to thousands of native species. 

Top ten countries with the most trees 

According to the research, the ten countries with the highest number of trees are as follows: 

Which countries have the fewest trees? 

The study also found that the following ten countries have the lowest number of trees: 

Where are the world’s largest rainforests? 

As already mentioned, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Peru and Colombia are famous for their rainforests. But the following countries also contain large areas of rainforest: Bolivia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ecuador, Gabon, Guyana, India, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Suriname and Venezuela. 

The ten largest rainforests in the world are as follows: 

1. Amazon — Located in parts of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela 
2. Congo — Located in parts of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of Congo 
3. Australasia — Located in parts of Australia, the Indonesian half of New Guinea and Papua New Guinea 
4. Sundaland — Located in parts of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore 
5. Indo-Burma — Located in parts of Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam 
6. Mesoamerica — Located in parts of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama 
7. Wallacea — Located in Sulawesi and the Maluku islands in Indonesia 
8. West Africa — Located in parts of Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo 
9. Atlantic Forest — Located in parts of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay 
10. Choco — Located in parts of Colombia, Ecuador and Panama 

Why are trees so important? 

Trees are essential for life. They give us oxygen, store carbon and stabilise the soil, as well as provide us with the materials we need for shelter and tools. 

It is, therefore, crucial that trees are preserved and sustainably managed the world over. 

Health benefits 

Tree canopies filter the air by trapping dust and absorbing pollutants. They also provide shelter from the sun’s harmful rays and some trees even have medicinal properties. 

Environmental benefits 

As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and lock it up in their wood. The carbon they store helps slow the pace of climate change. 

They also absorb stormwater — which helps prevent flooding and soil erosion — and they cool the air by releasing water into the atmosphere from their leaves. 

Benefits to wildlife 

Young trees provide food and habitation to fungi, lichen, insects and birds, while the trunks of older trees can be home to owls, bats and woodpeckers. 

Economic benefits 

Properties that have trees nearby tend to be worth more because they are more desirable, and workplaces that are close to trees and green spaces often have happier employees. 

Benefits to communities 

Forests bring groups of people together for activities like walking or bird-watching. They can also be used as an educational resource, and they are an ideal place for children to play in.  

What is the biggest threat to rainforests? 

Deforestation is the biggest threat to rainforests. More than half of the world’s rainforests have been destroyed by humans, due to our excessive demand.  

Some of the main culprits of rainforest deforestation are: 

• The agricultural industry — Slash-and-burn techniques are used to clear ranch land for cattle and to make room for crops. The soy industry, in particular, is a key contributor to deforestation. 
• Logging —Huge areas of rainforest are chopped down for timber used in items like furniture and flooring. 
• Power plants — Power plants generate electricity by cutting down trees and burning them.  
• The paper industry — The paper industry also has a devastating impact on the world’s rainforests. 
• Construction industry — Forests are chopped down to make way for service and transit roads. 
• Mining operations — Mining operations also clear forests in order to dig mines. 
• Hydroelectric projects — Acres of rainforest are flooded as a result of hydroelectric projects. 

How are rainforests being preserved? 

If deforestation continues at its current rate, it is estimated that there will be no rainforests left in a hundred years’ time. So it is vital that we take measures such as those outlined below to safeguard existing rainforests and encourage tree growth. 

Reforestation 

Rainforests can be restored by replanting trees. However, to sustain the original ecosystems of these forests, it is important that native species are used in reforestation efforts. 

Stricter laws 

As well as planting more trees, stricter laws can be introduced to limit the number of existing trees being chopped down. 

To preserve the last surviving primary rainforests, governments must impose tougher fines for breaking these laws, regulate deforestation for industries and crack down on species trafficking. 

Sustainable regimes 

Rather than clear-cutting trees, sustainable logging regimes can be implemented to cull trees selectively. 

Investment in conservation and research 

With most conservation efforts carried out by non-profit organisations and volunteers, there needs to be more investment in conservation projects like the Amazon Conservation Team and The Borneo Project. 

Awareness 

Because of the amount of time it takes to restore rainforests, it is essential to educate people on the importance of conserving them.  

Consumers can be encouraged not to buy products that destroy rainforests, while people who live near rainforests can be taught to harvest fruits, nuts and medicines rather than clear-cutting them for farmland.