Years of being on this planet might already give you an idea that nature is truly full of wonder and astonishment. Our flora and fauna are extraordinary. While some are seen as simple and normal as we see them in our everyday lives, amazing discoveries are made in the middle of plant and animal territories: in forests, jungles, and other places with rich biodiversity. In these places, biologists and researches discovered towering trees, among the tallest on the planet. So, what is the tallest tree on the planet? And by how many feet is it ahead from the second tallest tree there is?
What makes trees grow tall?
There are two main factors that contribute to the soaring growth of these trees. These two factors include a push and pull – one that drives the tree to grow upwards and the other one that holds the tree to the ground. Some tall trees are driven to grow in such heights as a result of the competition for sunlight. The trees ‘compete’ with each other to get more sunlight, resulting in their heights. On the other hand, gravity pulls them down to keep their balance. In such heights, the trees on the upper parts are also relatively smaller since nourishment from the soil is struggling to reach such heights.
George Koch, a biologist from Northern Arizona University, led a team of researches that sought to determine the balance between these two forces and identify at what point the trees halt in growth. They found out that the point ranges between 122 and 130 m (400 and 426 feet).
Where they usually grow
These extraordinary trees grow both in tropical and temperate regions, especially in mesic climates or where moisture is abundant.
The majority of these trees are found in three identified regions: in western North America, mainly from California to British Columbia, in Southeast Asia, and in southeastern Australia.
Here are the 11 giants of the flora community
1. King Stringy: 282 feet (86 meters)
King Tringy (Eucalyptus obliqua) is a beautiful stringbark dominantly brown in color. This species is found in Tasmania, Australia. The King Stringy was named after its thick and fibrous bark that easily peels off. It is one of the toughest trees, and its flowers are a favorite among bees for its vibrant color.
This one stands 282 feet tall or 86 meters.
2. Alpine Ash: 288 feet (87.9 meters)
Eucalyptus delegatensis also has its representative for the tallest trees on the planet, the Alpine Ash from Florentine Valley in Tasmania. Alpine Ash stands tall in 288 feet or 87.9 meters.
These trees are known to be growing in the old-growth forests, which, fortunately, remain untouched by human intervention. However, the Florentine Valley is continuously under the threat of deforestation due to its known value for the timber industry.
3. NeeminahLoggorale Meena: 298 feet (90.7 meters)
From the eucalyptus family, the Eucalyptus globulus, or the NeeminahLoggorale Meena, also resides in Tasmania, Australia. Standing 298 feet or 90.7 meters, this blue gum was the tallest of its kind.
In the native Aboriginal language, its ridiculously long name has a very intimate meaning, as it is translated as “mother and daughter.” Thanks to the Forestry Tasmania rule, it was just spared from being cut off that states trees above 85 meter must not be cut off.
4. White Knight: 299 feet (91 meters)
Also found in Tasmania, Australia, in its Evercreech Forest Reserve, the White Knight (Eucalyptus viminalis) stands 299 feet or 91 meters. They have been growing in that part of Tasmania for 300 years.
These super-tall manna gums are said to entice a lot of dendrophiles, or tree lovers.
5. Yellow meranti in Borneo: 309 feet (94.1 meters)
From Shoreafaguetiana, this yellow meranti is found in the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah on Borneo’s island. It is the second tallest tree in the tropical region, standing tall at 293 feet.
It was an accidental discovery. Scientists from the University of Cambridge were out to study the biodiversity in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area when they encountered the giant tree.
6. Unnamed giant sequoia: 314 feet (95.7 meters)
Although giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) rarely grow taller than 300 feet, they still boast their wide-body width that is astonishing to behold. Giant sequoias are considered the largest trees in the world.
But in terms of height, they also do not disappoint. The unnamed giant sequoia stands 314 feet or 95.7 meters in height. This is found in the city of giant sequoias in California’s Sequoia National Forest, where they thrive and survive.
7. Raven’s Tower: 317 feet (96.7 meters)
Apparent on its name, the Raven’s Tower is 317 feet or 96.7 meters and is continuously growing. It is found in California’s Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. No exact location was reported for Raven’s Tower, as well as other trees in this list. This is a precautionary measure to protect the trees.
8. Doerner Fir: 327 feet (99.7 meters)
The Doerner Fir is standing at 327 feet. This is said to be the tallest, non-redwood tree on the planet. It’s is a 500-year-old Douglas fir that grows in an old group of trees in southwest Oregon in Redwoods National Park, where the threat of logging is continuously a concern.
9. Centurion: 327.5 feet (99.82 meters)
In Tasmania, the Centurion from Arve Valley, Australia is a Eucalyptus regnans, the second tallest tree species on the entire planet. The Centurion stands 330 feet or 99.82 meters. It was luckily saved from a bushfire in 2019.
10. Menara: 331 feet (100.88 meters)
We’ve come to the second tallest tree on Earth, and that is the Menara from Sabah, Malaysia. With a height of 331 feet or 100.88 meters, it is, by far, the second tallest tree in the world, roughly 14 meters short from its number one rival.
11. Hyperion: 380.3 feet (114.08 meters)
A Sequoia sempervirens discovered in 2006 from an undisclosed location in Redwood National Park, California, bagged the top place as the tallest tree existing on Earth.
Hyperion is 374.3 feet or 114.08 meters tall. It is a 600-year old redwood tree described as so tall that its top cannot be seen. Scientists and locals are keenly doing their best to protect the tree from any possible threat as it stands to be a remarkable existence of the planet’s staggering biodiversity.