This protocol aims to record total carbon and nitrogen as a percentage of total leaf mass using combustion analysis. The protocol uses ground leaf material and has been tested on a variety of shrub and tree species. The protocol is straightforward and easy to complete once trained in the use of the applicable combustion analyser. Depending on the type of columns in the combustion analyser, carbon can consume some components readily increasing the frequency of column replacement which can increase the time taken and cost to complete this method. The key steps of this method including grinding the dried plant material down to consistent size, for example 1 mm, and then analysing the samples using a combustion analyser. Grinding can take up to three hours for 40 samples and weighing samples for, and running, the analyser can take 7-8 hours.