New work on temperate oaks finds that trees keep absorbing CO₂ long after their annual growth stops.
In the eastern U.S., about 36% of oak carbon uptake happens after growth has shut down for the season; in California, it’s ~26%.
Under hot, dry conditions, growth halts quickly as internal water pressure drops, while photosynthesis continues at a slower pace. That “extra” carbon goes into roots, leaves, storage, and metabolism…not always into long‑lived wood.
➡️ For carbon models, this means more photosynthesis does not automatically equal more biomass or more durable carbon storage.
➡️ For botanical sourcing, it’s a reminder that forests can be metabolically active without visibly growing.