To create a simulation of photosynthesis in a forest of 50,000 maple trees, a scientist needs to determine the average number of leaves on an actual maple tree. Which of the following is the best course of action for establishing this parameter?

A. Determine the average number of leaves for 10 randomly selected maple trees.
B. Choose a value at random to represent the average number of leaves on a tree.
C. Count the number of leaves on a single tree and assume all trees are the same.
D. Divide the total number of leaves on all the trees in a forest by 50,000.