A huge tree more than 100 meters high was discovered on the island of Borneo, Malaysiafrom the air. A team of scientists then climbed onto a tree to measure its height, at your own peril and risk.
A team led by the universities of Nottingham and Oxford, working with the Southeast Asian Rainforest Research Company, announced the discovery of a giant tree in January 2024.
Its height is 100.8 meters, grows in the Sabah forest, on the island of Borneo.
This find broke the record for finding the tallest tree with a height of 94.1 meters in 2024.
The giant tree found is the first 100-meter tropical tree registered anywhere in the world. In addition, it is the highest known flowering plant in the world.
Interestingly, if it were laid along the ground, the tree would be longer than a football field. The team of scientists gave the tree the name "Menara"Meaning" tower "in Malay. According to preliminary estimates, a tree without roots weighs 81,500 kg.
Perhaps the tallest tree is still waiting for its discovery.
Danum Valley - home to the tallest trees in the world
It is noted that these giant trees grow in the conservation area. Danum Valley - A plot of 438 square kilometers. This is the most protected and least disturbed area of tropical forests in Southeast Asia.
Danum is also known for protecting the endangered orangutan, smoky leopard, and forest elephants under his protection.
Yellow Meranti - the tallest endangered trees!
Until now, tall trees that have become known around the world belong to the same species - yellow meranti. This species is endangered, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) put it on the red list.
Although the main Sabah rainforest is protected, yellow meranti is felled elsewhere in Borneo. Often for the manufacture of molds for pouring concrete and cheap plywood.
These are unique and incredible trees, each of which is home to more than 1,000 insects, mushrooms and other plant species. And in just a few minutes, a unique forest mini-house can be turned into boards at a sawmill.
Who personally measured the tallest tree in the world?
Such exceptional and tall trees are detected by laser scanning a forest from an airplane. Researchers identify the giant, but to prove its actual height, real people must climb a tree with a tape measure. This is how it works.
Climbing work on the tropic highest trees with a tape measure Undinga Jamie, arborist and research fellow at the Southeast Asia Rainforest Research Company. Climbing giant trees is risky and difficult, and requires special physical preparation.
What helps a tree grow to a height of 100 meters?
Menara tree located in a small steep hollow.Researchers believe that this height is due to the terrain providing moist soils, and the nearby ledge provides protection from the wind.
Scientists believe that the giant Menara tree is very close to being the tallest tree anywhere in the world. They came to these conclusions by analyzing 2 factors:
- the amount of stress from the wind that the tree can withstand;
- how far a tree can pump water and sugar for its crowns.
When the climber was asked what it was like to measure such a tall tree, he replied that it was a terrible and windy climb. But the top view was magnificent, so the efforts justify everything.
Would you like to climb to a 100-meter height? Would it be scary? We discuss.
