The question of which US state contains the most trees is complex, requiring a distinction between total individual count and total forested land area. The answer depends significantly on the definition of a “tree” and the method of measurement. The definitive count is derived from large-scale, systematic inventory programs. This data allows scientists to make statistically reliable estimates across the country’s varied landscapes.
The State with the Highest Estimated Tree Count
The state that holds the record for the highest estimated number of individual trees is Alaska. The sheer size of the state’s land area is the primary factor driving this massive count, with estimates placing the total at approximately 31.7 billion.
This figure dwarfs the tree populations of other states; the next closest state is estimated to have less than half of Alaska’s total. Alaska also holds the record for the highest number of trees per person in the country, at over 43,000 trees for every resident.
Geographic and Climatic Factors Driving the Count
Alaska’s unique geography and climate support its colossal tree population. The state features two distinct forest biomes: the vast Boreal Forest and the Temperate Coastal Rainforest.
The Boreal Forest, also known as the taiga, stretches across Interior Alaska and is characterized by hardy conifers like black spruce and white spruce. Though these forests are often less dense, they cover an enormous landmass, extending into areas with continuous permafrost.
The coastal region is a temperate rainforest that receives abundant precipitation, allowing for the growth of massive Sitka spruce and western hemlock. The combination of expansive interior forests and dense coastal growth fuels the immense total tree count.
Understanding the Counting Methodology
The authoritative data comes from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. Since physically counting every tree is impossible, the FIA uses a statistically sound sampling system. This program establishes a network of permanent field plots across all 50 states, with a density of roughly one plot per 6,000 to 6,500 acres of forestland.
These plots are revisited on a fixed cycle, typically every five to ten years, to measure tree growth, mortality, and removals. For the inventory, a “tree” is defined as a woody plant, usually with a minimum diameter of one inch at breast height, ensuring data consistency. Researchers combine field measurements from these plots with advanced remote sensing techniques, such as satellite imagery and LiDAR, to extrapolate the total tree count.
Comparing Total Count vs. Forested Area
It is important to distinguish between the total number of individual trees and the percentage of a state’s land covered by forest. Although Alaska has the highest total number of trees, only about 35% of its land area is considered forested. This low percentage exists because the majority of the state is composed of treeless tundra, mountains, and glaciers.
Conversely, smaller Northeast states, such as Maine and New Hampshire, have a much higher percentage of their land covered in trees. Maine is approximately 89% forested, and New Hampshire is over 84% forested, making them the most “wooded” states by land-area percentage. Thus, while compact states can have high forest cover due to climate, a state with a vast land area like Alaska will contain the greater absolute number of individual trees.