The carbon cycle is dependent on the efforts of carbon-sequestering plants, trees, and soil. Your garden can pull carbon dioxide out of the air, and convert it into oxygen. When a plant or tree is cut down and burned, it releases its stored carbon back into the atmosphere. It takes years to decades for trees to reach maturity at which point, carbon sequestion is maxmized. The last 10% of a tree's lifespan is where 90% of its carbon sequestration occurs.