USDA Climate Hubs — Biochar at a Glance Factsheet

In forested landscapes, biochar is a carbon-rich soil amendment produced from woody residues (slash).

Making and using biochar moves excess organic matter (e.g., branches, twigs) from projects that remove excess trees in overstocked forests to degraded soils that need it.

For generations, Native Americans have been making and using biochar to improve the soil, and soil enhancement remains the dominant use today.