Scenic America has unveiled a groundbreaking new tool designed to measure the environmental impact of tree cutting for billboard visibility. The Carbon Calculator provides a data-driven approach to quantifying lost carbon sequestration due to tree removal, reinforcing the urgency of preserving roadside trees for climate resilience and community health.

Trees play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂), mitigating urban heat, preventing erosion, and enhancing the natural beauty of America’s landscapes. Yet, in 35 states, outdoor advertising companies are legally allowed to clear trees solely to improve billboard visibility. As a result, over 11 million trees have been lost, leading to an estimated 10 million tons of carbon sequestration lost over time—an impact equivalent to putting 3.5 million cars on the road for one year​.

Scenic America’s Carbon Calculator was developed to bring clarity and precision to this issue, leveraging tree canopy data from the U.S. Forest Service, state vegetation management policies, and a nationwide billboard inventory to estimate both tree loss and its long-term carbon impact​.

The development of the Carbon Calculator was led by Scenic America’s Policy and Research Director, Tziporah Feldman, who emphasized the importance of a robust methodology.

“We knew that in order to make a compelling case for policy change, we needed a tool that was grounded in rigorous data analysis. Our team compiled tree canopy data, reviewed state billboard vegetation policies, and calculated the carbon sequestration loss based on average tree lifespans. The result is a first-of-its-kind tool that makes the invisible consequences of tree cutting tangible and actionable,” said Feldman​.

The Carbon Calculator allows users to explore the impact of tree removal in specific locations around the country. Users can move the marker around the map of the United States to represent a billboard located in various parts of the country, and the tool will automatically calculate estimated carbon sequestration loss based on each location’s vegetation management policies, billboard location data, and tree canopy cover. The data is then displayed to show the exact location of each billboard down to its coordinates and state location, distance from the roadway, and the number of trees cut for that billboard along with its estimated loss of carbon sequestration.

Scenic America hopes that by equipping the public and policymakers with transparent data, the Carbon Calculator will inspire stronger regulations to protect roadside trees. Many states currently lack clear-cut guidelines on billboard-related vegetation management, making it easier for outdoor advertising companies to engage in excessive clearing. The tool underscores the need for stricter policies to curb unnecessary deforestation and highlights the long-term climate consequences of inaction​.

Scenic America encourages environmental advocates, lawmakers, and concerned citizens to use the Carbon Calculator and explore the hidden costs of removing trees for billboard visibility in America. By raising awareness and pushing for policy changes, we can prevent further loss of these vital environmental assets and work toward a future where scenic beauty and sustainability go hand in hand.

For more information and to explore the Carbon Calculator, click here.