A study reveals that upland tree woody surfaces can act as a significant sink for atmospheric methane (CH₄), contributing to climate mitigation. The research, conducted across tropical, temperate, and boreal forests, found that methane uptake on tree surfaces, particularly above 2 meters above the forest floor, can dominate the net ecosystem contribution of trees, resulting in a net tree methane sink. Stable carbon isotope measurements and process-level investigations suggest that methanotrophy, a microbial process, is responsible for this methane drawdown on and in tree surfaces. Using terrestrial laser scanning-derived allometry, the study estimates that trees may contribute 24.6–49.9 Tg of atmospheric methane uptake globally. This finding suggests that the climate benefits of tropical and temperate forest protection and reforestation may be greater than previously assumed. The study also highlights the importance of considering tree surface areas in global methane budgets, as they can significantly influence methane exchange. The research underscores the potential of tree surfaces as a key component in mitigating atmospheric methane, with implications for climate change mitigation strategies. The study's findings indicate that tree surfaces can serve as a significant sink for atmospheric methane, contributing to climate benefits through carbon sequestration and methane uptake. The results suggest that reforestation and forest restoration could have a substantial climate benefit, as tree surfaces may contribute significantly to methane uptake. The study also highlights the need for further research to understand the full extent of tree surface methane uptake and its implications for global climate change mitigation.A study reveals that upland tree woody surfaces can act as a significant sink for atmospheric methane (CH₄), contributing to climate mitigation. The research, conducted across tropical, temperate, and boreal forests, found that methane uptake on tree surfaces, particularly above 2 meters above the forest floor, can dominate the net ecosystem contribution of trees, resulting in a net tree methane sink. Stable carbon isotope measurements and process-level investigations suggest that methanotrophy, a microbial process, is responsible for this methane drawdown on and in tree surfaces. Using terrestrial laser scanning-derived allometry, the study estimates that trees may contribute 24.6–49.9 Tg of atmospheric methane uptake globally. This finding suggests that the climate benefits of tropical and temperate forest protection and reforestation may be greater than previously assumed. The study also highlights the importance of considering tree surface areas in global methane budgets, as they can significantly influence methane exchange. The research underscores the potential of tree surfaces as a key component in mitigating atmospheric methane, with implications for climate change mitigation strategies. The study's findings indicate that tree surfaces can serve as a significant sink for atmospheric methane, contributing to climate benefits through carbon sequestration and methane uptake. The results suggest that reforestation and forest restoration could have a substantial climate benefit, as tree surfaces may contribute significantly to methane uptake. The study also highlights the need for further research to understand the full extent of tree surface methane uptake and its implications for global climate change mitigation.