How does a massive tree grow from a tiny seed if the tree is only absorbing nutrients from the soil and sunlight? Has a 20 foot oak tree removed its equivalent mass in nutrient matter from the world around it and replaced it with its own mass?
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Most of the mass gained by a tree is carbon taken in from the air.
The roots send water up to the leaves. The water evaporates under the leaf. This causes a vacuum and draws in air. The plants draws out carbon, letting back out Oxygen.
So, loads of CO2 in, loads of O2 out. A bit of water cycled in the process. And some photosynthesis and some nutrients from the soil to fuel the process.
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