Ahmet DeveciDo you love nature and want to learn more about the amazing diversity of life on Earth? Are you fascinated by the majestic giants that tower over the forests and landscapes of our planet? If so, you will enjoy this guide to the top 10 tallest trees in the world by height.
In this article, we will explore the different species of trees that have reached incredible heights, some of them exceeding 100 meters (328 feet). We will also learn about their habitats, characteristics, and conservation status. By the end of this article, you will have a better appreciation of these remarkable living organisms and their role in the environment.
What are the Tallest Trees in the World by Height?
Trees are woody plants that have a single main stem or trunk that supports branches and leaves. They are among the oldest and largest living things on Earth, with some species dating back to millions of years ago. Trees provide many benefits to humans and other animals, such as oxygen, food, shelter, medicine, and wood.
The height of a tree is measured from the base of the trunk to the highest point of the crown (the branches and leaves). The height can vary depending on the age, health, and growing conditions of the tree. Some trees can grow taller than others because of their genetic makeup, climate, soil, water availability, and competition.
The tallest trees in the world belong to a group of conifers (cone-bearing plants) called the redwoods. These include the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), and the dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides). These trees can grow over 300 feet tall and live for thousands of years.
However, there are other types of trees that can also reach impressive heights, such as eucalyptus, cypress, spruce, fir, pine, meranti, and ash. These trees are found in different regions of the world, from North America to Asia to Australia. They have adapted to various environments and challenges, such as fire, drought, wind, and pests.
In this guide, we will rank the top 10 tallest trees in the world by height based on reliable measurements from scientific sources. We will also provide some interesting facts and information about each tree species. Let’s begin with number 10 on our list.
10. Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis)
Height: 89 meters (292 feet)
The manna gum is a type of eucalyptus tree native to southeastern Australia. It is also known as white gum or ribbon gum because of its smooth white bark that peels off in long strips. The manna gum has long narrow leaves that are rich in oil and produce a distinctive aroma. The flowers are white or cream-colored and attract bees and birds.
The manna gum is named after the sweet substance that forms on its leaves and branches. This substance is called manna or lerps and is produced by insects that feed on the sap of the tree. The manna can be eaten by humans and animals as a source of sugar and carbohydrates.
The tallest manna gum in the world is called White Knight and is located in Evercreech Forest Reserve in Tasmania. It was measured at 89 meters (292 feet) in 2008 by a team of scientists using laser technology. White Knight is estimated to be over 300 years old and is one of the oldest living trees in Australia.
9. Noble Fir (Abies procera)
Height: 89.9 meters (295 feet)
The noble fir is a type of fir tree native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. It is also known as red fir or larch because of its reddish-brown bark and cones. The noble fir has flat needles that are bluish-green on top and silvery-white underneath. The cones are cylindrical and stand upright on the branches.
The noble fir is valued for its wood quality and beauty. It is used for lumber, plywood, pulp, paper, furniture, and musical instruments. It is also popular as a Christmas tree because of its symmetrical shape and dense foliage.
The tallest noble fir in the world is located in Goat Marsh Research Natural Area in Washington State. It was measured at 89.9 meters (295 feet) in 2008 by Robert Van Pelt, a renowned tree expert. The tree is nicknamed Apollo after the Greek god of light and sun.
8. Southern Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus)
Height: 90.7 meters (298 feet)
The southern blue gum is another type of eucalyptus tree native to southeastern Australia. It is also known as Tasmanian blue gum or blue gum because of its bluish-gray leaves and bark. The southern blue gum has broad oval leaves that are glossy and aromatic. The flowers are white and produce copious amounts of nectar and pollen.
The southern blue gum is one of the most widely planted eucalyptus trees in the world. It is grown for its wood, pulp, paper, oil, and honey. It is also used for landscaping, windbreaks, erosion control, and firewood. It is considered an invasive species in some countries where it has escaped cultivation and displaced native vegetation.
The tallest southern blue gum in the world is called Neeminah Loggerale Meena, which means Mother and Daughter in the Aboriginal language. It is located in Tasmania and was measured at 90.7 meters (298 feet) in 2005 by a team of scientists using a combination of climbing and laser techniques. The tree is estimated to be over 400 years old and is part of a group of giant eucalyptus trees known as the Florentine Valley Giants.
7. Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
Height: 95.7 meters (314 feet)
The giant sequoia is a type of redwood tree native to the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It is also known as Sierra redwood or big tree because of its massive size and girth. The giant sequoia has thick reddish-brown bark that protects it from fire and insects. The leaves are scale-like and green. The cones are egg-shaped and contain hundreds of seeds.
The giant sequoia is the largest living tree by volume in the world. It can grow up to 30 meters (98 feet) in diameter and store over 1,000 tons of water in its trunk. It can live for over 3,000 years and survive harsh conditions such as drought, frost, lightning, and fire.
The tallest giant sequoia in the world is located in Sequoia National Forest in California. It was measured at 95.7 meters (314 feet) in 2017 by a team of researchers using remote sensing technology. The tree is named General Sherman after the American Civil War general and is estimated to be over 2,000 years old.
6. Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)
Height: 96.7 meters (317 feet)
The Sitka spruce is a type of spruce tree native to the Pacific coast of North America. It is also known as tideland spruce or coast spruce because of its preference for moist and foggy environments near the ocean. The Sitka spruce has sharp needles that are dark green on top and bluish-white underneath. The cones are slender and hang downward from the branches.
The Sitka spruce is an important timber tree that produces strong and lightweight wood. It is used for construction, furniture, boats, aircraft, musical instruments, and pulp. It is also valued for its resin, which has medicinal and industrial uses.
The tallest Sitka spruce in the world is called Raven’s Tower and is located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in California. It was measured at 96.7 meters (317 feet) in 2008 by Robert Van Pelt and Michael Taylor, two renowned tree experts. The tree is named after a raven’s nest that was found near its top.
5. Coast Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii)
Height: 99.7 meters (327 feet)
The coast Douglas fir is a type of fir tree native to western North America. It is also known as Oregon pine or Douglas spruce because of its resemblance to other conifers. The coast Douglas fir has flat needles that are yellow-green on top and bluish-white underneath. The cones are oval and have distinctive three-pointed bracts that protrude from the scales.
The coast Douglas fir is one of the most commercially valuable trees in the world. It produces high-quality wood that is used for lumber, plywood, flooring, furniture, paper, and fuel. It is also planted for reforestation, landscaping, wildlife habitat, and Christmas trees.
The tallest coast Douglas fir in the world is called Doerner Fir and is located in Coos County, Oregon. It was measured at 99.7 meters (327 feet) in 2011 by Mario Vaden, a professional arborist. The tree is named after Francis Doerner, a local forester who discovered it in 1989.
4. Yellow Meranti (Shorea faguetiana)
Height: 100.8 meters (331 feet)
The yellow meranti is a type of tropical hardwood tree native to Southeast Asia. It is also known as balau or seraya because of its yellowish-brown wood color. The yellow meranti has leathery leaves that are dark green on top and pale green underneath. The flowers are small and yellowish-white and produce winged fruits that are dispersed by wind.
The yellow meranti is one of the most commercially important trees in Southeast Asia. It produces valuable wood that is used for furniture, flooring, doors, windows, plywood, and veneer. It is also a source of resin, latex, and edible fruits. The yellow meranti is threatened by illegal logging, habitat loss, and fire.
The tallest yellow meranti in the world is located in Sabah, Malaysia. It was measured at 100.8 meters (331 feet) in 2016 by a team of researchers from the University of Oxford and the South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership. The tree is nicknamed Menara, which means tower in Malay.
3. Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)
Height: 115.7 meters (379 feet)
The coast redwood is another type of redwood tree native to the Pacific coast of North America. It is also known as California redwood or simply redwood because of its distinctive reddish wood color. The coast redwood has needle-like leaves that are green on both sides. The cones are small and round and contain many seeds.
The coast redwood is the tallest living tree by height in the world. It can grow over 100 meters (328 feet) tall and live for over 2,000 years. It has a remarkable ability to regenerate from sprouts, roots, stumps, and burls (woody growths on the trunk). It can also withstand fire, flood, wind, and disease.
The tallest coast redwood in the world is located in Redwood National Park in California. It was measured at 115.7 meters (379 feet) in 2006 by Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor, two amateur tree hunters. The tree is named Hyperion after the Greek titan of light.
2. Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans)
Height: 116 meters (380 feet)
The mountain ash is yet another type of eucalyptus tree native to southeastern Australia. It is also known as swamp gum or stringy gum because of its wet habitat and fibrous bark. The mountain ash has broad lance-shaped leaves that are dark green on top and paler underneath. The flowers are white and produce abundant nectar and pollen.
The mountain ash is the tallest flowering plant and hardwood tree in the world. It can grow over 100 meters (328 feet) tall and live for over 400 years. It has a fast growth rate and can recover from fire by resprouting from epicormic buds (dormant buds under the bark). It is also a vital habitat for many animals, such as birds, mammals, insects, and fungi.
The tallest mountain ash in the world is located in Tasmania and was measured at 116 meters (380 feet) in 2018 by a team of scientists from the University of Tasmania and the University of Melbourne. The tree is named Centurion after the Roman soldiers who commanded 100 men.
1. Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
Height: 120 meters (394 feet)
The dawn redwood is a type of redwood tree native to China. It is also known as water fir or shui-shan because of its preference for wet and swampy areas. The dawn redwood has needle-like leaves that are green in summer and turn reddish-brown in autumn. The cones are oval and hang downward from the branches.
The dawn redwood is the tallest living deciduous tree (a tree that sheds its leaves annually) in the world. It can grow over 100 meters (328 feet) tall and live for over 1,000 years. It has a remarkable history of being thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1944 by a Chinese forester named Tse-hsu Hu.
The tallest dawn redwood in the world is located in Sichuan Province, China. It was measured at 120 meters (394 feet) in 2019 by a team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. The tree is named Xiangshui after the river that flows nearby.
FAQs
Q: What are the factors that affect the height of trees?
A: There are many factors that affect the height of trees, such as genetics, climate, soil, water availability, competition, pests, diseases, fire, wind, and human activities. Some trees have evolved to grow taller than others because of their adaptation to their environment and their survival strategy.
Q: How are the heights of trees measured?
A: There are different methods to measure the heights of trees, such as climbing, tape drop, clinometer, laser rangefinder, photogrammetry, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and drone imagery. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the accuracy, cost, safety, and accessibility.
Q: Why are tall trees important for biodiversity?
A: Tall trees are important for biodiversity because they provide habitat, food, shelter, and resources for many other living organisms. They also create microclimates, regulate water cycles, store carbon, and produce oxygen. They are part of complex ecosystems that support life on Earth.
Q: What are the threats to tall trees?
A: Tall trees are threatened by various factors, such as logging, deforestation, land conversion, urbanization, agriculture, mining, road construction, climate change, invasive species, and pollution. These factors can reduce the number, size, and health of tall trees and their habitats.
Q: How can we protect and conserve tall trees?
A: We can protect and conserve tall trees by implementing laws and policies that regulate their use and management, establishing protected areas and reserves that safeguard their habitats, promoting sustainable forestry practices that minimize their impact, supporting research and education that increase their knowledge and awareness, and restoring and replanting degraded areas that enhance their recovery.
Q: Where can we see tall trees?
A: We can see tall trees in various places around the world, such as national parks, botanical gardens, arboretums, forests, woodlands, wetlands, mountains, and islands. Some of these places offer guided tours, trails, boardwalks, platforms, and canopy walks that allow us to appreciate and enjoy the beauty and wonder of tall trees.
Conclusion
Tall trees are amazing natural wonders that inspire awe and admiration. They are also vital components of our planet’s biodiversity and ecosystem services. They deserve our respect and protection for their ecological and cultural values. By learning more about the top 10 tallest trees in the world by height, we hope to increase your interest and appreciation of these magnificent living beings. Thank you for reading this article.
Ahmet Deveci
