Estimate how many leaves a tree carries from its crown size, leaf area index and average leaf size — a rough allometric estimate.
Result
How to use this tool
Measure or pace the crown spread in feet.
Use 5 as a broadleaf default; conifers and sparse crowns differ.
Enter the average area of one leaf in square centimetres.
Treat the count as an order of magnitude.
Formula & worked example
A 30 ft crown with LAI 5 and 50 sq cm leaves carries an estimated 65,670 leaves.
Limitations — read this before you rely on it
Allometric estimate with wide uncertainty. Species, season, canopy gaps and leaf-size variation can shift the result several-fold.
Frequently asked questions
Total leaf area per unit of ground area under the crown; 3–6 is typical for broadleaf trees.
Leaf size, canopy gaps, season and species all vary, so any count is approximate.
Roughly, but needle area is harder to define; use a needle-cluster area instead.
Deciduous trees drop them, so the estimate applies to full summer canopy.
Only by destructive sampling; estimates like this are the practical alternative.