As perennial beings, trees can survive for a very long time—sometimes hundreds of years or even many millennia, depending on the species. A tree’s fundamental structure never changes, despite the variations in each species’ life cycle. Trees grow both under the ground (roots) and above the ground (stems, branches, leaves, and fruits). The growth of the trees is affected by various factors, including species, soil, climate, water, and nutrients. When every requirement of healthy growth is met, then we get some of the absolute giants of the world.
A tree’s height is affected by two main conflicting forces: one pushes it upward and the other holds it down. Also the researchers discovered that trees in forests tends to grow as tall as possible in order to exceed nearby trees and receive more sunlight. As the tree grows, gravity makes it increasingly difficult to transport water from it’s roots to the canopy, becoming thinner at the top.
Top 10 Tallest Trees in The World
In this article, we will be climbing some of the tallest trees in the world that have fought hard against gravity to touch the sky. Without further ado, let’s climb into the list of these tallest trees.
Interesting Science Videos
10. Messmate Stringybark ( Eucalyptus Obliqua)
Messmate stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua), also known as brown top, brown top stringybark, stringybark, or Tasmanian oak, is a species of tree native to southeast Australia. This species has spread widely in eastern Australia’s cooler southern regions. Central and southern Victoria are the most common areas of occurrence. It is also an important species in Tasmania, where it is abundant. Eucalyptus obliqua can grow to be 30-40 meters tall, which can sometimes reach up to 88 meters, with diameters (at breast height) of 2-3 meters in typical hilly or mountainous areas. In certain impoverished coastal areas, it shrinks to a mere 2 m tall shrub.
The woodland variety of E. obliqua usually has a straight, clean trunk that spans at least two-thirds of the tree’s height. It can have a small, slightly crooked trunk with branches starting at roughly half the tree height, or it might have many stems. The shrub shape can be multi-stemmed or have a short, slightly twisted trunk with branches starting at roughly half the tree height.
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Genus: Eucalyptus
- Species: E. Obliqua
- Height: 40 – 88 meters
- Location: South-eastern Australia, Tasmania
Eucalyptus timber (of many species) has been used to produce high-quality white paper. Magnificent trees can be turned into writing paper, copy paper, cigarette paper, toilet paper, or napkins. Eucalyptus timber has additional applications. It is not particularly sturdy, but it is suitable for home construction, flooring, and furniture. It splits easily, so smaller pieces of it can be used as fuel.
9. Manna Gum (Eucalyptus obliqua)
Eucalyptus viminalis, commonly known as manna gum, white gum, or ribbon gum, is a tree that is native to south-eastern Australia. This tree typically reaches a height of 50 meters (160 feet), but it is known to reach up to 90 meters (300 feet). It has smooth, frequently powdery, white to pale brown bark. It’s upper bark peels away in long “ribbons” that can pile on the branches and ground beneath. To protect itself from fire, the tree produces a lignotuber (a swelling of the root crown). Eucalyptus viminalis can be found in cooler regions of Australia, where its leaves are an important diet of koalas.
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Genus: Eucalyptus
- Species: E. Viminalis
- Height: 50 – 90 meters (160-300 feet)
- Location: South-eastern Australia, Tasmania
It’s sap contains 5-15% sugar, which makes it an important part of the energy supply for the tree-dwelling marsupials, such as yellow-bellied gliders, sugar gliders, and other types of gliders. This species’ beautiful light pink shades and ease of workability make it a popular choice for furniture applications. Given its poor strength and durability, its structural applications are restricted. To safeguard these trees, the Tasmanian government established the Ever Creech Forest Reserve in 1977.
8. Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus Globulus)
Eucalyptus globulus, more commonly referred to by the names Tasmanian Blue Gum or the Southern Blue Gum, is a huge evergreen tree native to southeastern Australia. Eucalyptus globulus is a tree that normally grows to a height of 45 m (148 ft.), but it may also be a dwarfed shrub or, given perfect conditions, reach as tall as 90-100 m (300-330 ft.). The trunk’s surface is smooth and greyish-white in the top part, where the bark peels in long reddish-brown ribbons; below the base, the bark can become persistent, rough, and deeply creased.
The name “Blue Gum” is associated to the young leaves, which come out in opposite pairs on square stems. These leaves are bluish-grey covered with a waxy bloom. E. globulus is the most frequently imported Australian eucalyptus species outside of Australia. The tree has been planted throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as in highlands of the tropics in many parts of Africa and India; it is also found in the state of California, Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand.
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Genus: Eucalyptus
- Species: E. Globulus
- Height: 45 – 92 meters (148-300 feet)
- Location: South-eastern Australia, Tasmania, Africa, India, North and South America
Tasmanian blue gum is a beautiful plant. In addition to its ornamental significance, the tree is important economically in many of these places, where it is widely utilized for pit supports, fuel, and paper pulp; oil is also produced. Seasoned timber is particularly useful for major construction projects such as wharves, bridges, and railway sleepers since it is extremely robust both on land as well as in water.
7. Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron Giganteum)
Sequoiadendron giganteum, often known as the giant sequoia, Sierra redwood, or Wellingtonia, is a coniferous tree. Giant sequoias are the largest trees on Earth. These plants are native to the woodlands on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, but have been introduced, planted, and grown all over the world. Giant sequoia grow to an average height of 50-85 meters (164-279 feet), with trunk diameters ranging from 6 to 8 meters (20 to 26 feet). The tallest recorded specimen stands 94.8 meters (311 feet) tall. These trees can live for between 2000 and 3000 years.
- Family: Cupressaceae
- Genus: Sequoiadendron
- Species: S. giganteum
- Height: 50 – 94.8 meters (164-311 feet)
- Location: South-eastern Australia, Tasmania, Africa, India, North and South America
The wood from mature giant sequoias is exceptionally resistant to decay, but it is fibrous and brittle, making it unsuitable for construction. Despite low commercial returns, logging continued in many forests from the 1880s until the 1920s. Because of their weight and brittleness, trees frequently fracture when they touch the ground, squandering a lot of timber. The wood was mostly utilized for roofing, fence posts, and for matchsticks.
6. Coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga Menziesii var. Menziesii)
Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii, often known as Coast Douglas-fir or Pacific Douglas-fir is an evergreen conifer endemic to western North America, ranging from west-central British Columbia in Canada to central California in the United States. It ranges from near sea level along the coast to 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) in the California Mountains. Coast Douglas-fir typically reach the height of 250 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide, while maximum heights can exceed 300 feet and diameters may exceed 15 to 18 feet.
The Doerner Fir (formerly known as the Brummit fir) is the highest living specimen, at 99.76 m (327 ft. 4 in) tall and 4.85 m (15 ft. 11 in) in diameter located within the Queets River valley of Olympic National Park in Washington.
- Family: Pinaceae
- Genus: Pseudotsuga
- Species: P. Menziesii
- Height: 60 – 99.7 meters
- Location: United States and Canada
Douglas fir seeds provide food for tiny mammals such as chipmunks, mice, shrews, and red squirrels. Many songbirds take the seeds right out of the cone, while raptors like northern spotted owls seek refuge in old-growth Douglas-fir forests. The little red tree vole lives almost completely in these trees, nibbling their needles and nesting in their crowns. Coast Douglas-fir often lives for more than 500 years, and occasionally for over 1,000 years. Coast Douglas-fir is one of the world’s finest timber producers, producing more than any other tree in North America. The wood is used to make dimensional lumber, timbers, pilings, and plywood.
5. Yellow Meranti (Richetia Faguentiana)
The plant species Richetia faguetiana, commonly known as yellow meranti, belongs to the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is indigenous to Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, and Borneo. The tallest specimen, called “Menara,” was measured in 2019. The tree’s height was measured from the top of the crown to the lowest portion of the buttress, yielding an average of 100.8 m. In 2018, a nearly equally tall R. faguetiana (96.9 m/318 ft.) was discovered in Sabah’s Tawau Hills National Park.
- Family: Dipterocarpaceae
- Genus: Richetia
- Species: R. faguetiana
- Height: 60 – 100.8 meters
- Location: Borneo, Malaysia and Thailand
This is the first 100-meter tropical tree (and the tallest known flowering plant) discovered anywhere in the globe. If it were laid on the ground, the tree would be longer than a soccer pitch. The team designated the tree “Menara,” which is Malaysian for “tower.” They determined that it weighs 81,500 kilograms, which is greater than a Boeing 737-800’s maximum takeoff weight (excluding roots).
4. Himalayan Cypress (Cupressus Torulosa)
Cupressus torulosa, often known as the Himalayan cypress or Bhutan cypress, is a type of cypress which is native to the mountainous northern parts of the Indian subcontinent, specifically the western Himalayas. Cupressus torulosa is an evergreen conifer tree species that grows on limestone in the western Himalaya at elevations ranging from 300 to 2,800 meters (1,000 to 9,200 feet). It is a medium to extremely large tree, reaching up to 45 metres (150 feet) in height, with even larger specimens seen in Southwestern China. In June 2023, an individual standing 102.3 meters (336 feet) tall was recognized.
Cupressus torulosa is a popular ornamental tree in its native environment as well as in temperate climates around the world. It is grown in both private and public gardens, despite its reputation to be drought and wind sensitive.
- Family: Cupressaceae
- Genus: Cupressus
- Species: E. Torulosa
- Height: 45 – 102 meters (150-336 feet)
- Location: India, Bhutan and Nepal
It is a high-quality timber with a straight grain and a smooth surface that is termite- and insect resistant. This timber is used to produce cabinetry, office furniture, and fine art items. It was also used in construction and the manufacture of railway carriages. The wood is aromatic, particularly the root wood, and an essential oil derived from it is used in medicine to treat inflammatory wounds, as an antibacterial, and also in cosmetics.
3. Sitka Spruce (Picea Sitchensis)
Picea sitchensis, or Sitka spruce, is a huge, coniferous, evergreen tree endemic to the western coasts of Canada and the United States, extending south into northern California. The Sitka spruce is one of only four species known to reach 100 meters (300 feet) in height. It can grow to be over 100 metres (330 feet) tall, with a trunk diameter at breast height of more than 5 metres (16 feet). It is by far the largest species of spruce. The Sitka Spruce is named after the Alaskan island Baranof Island, which was once known as Sitka Island. They can live for 700–800 years.
- Family: Pinaceae
- Genus: Picea
- Species: P. Sitchensis
- Height: 70 – 105 meters
- Location: United States, Canada, and United Kingdom
Sitka spruce provides vital habitat for a wide range of animals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Sitka spruce timber is also commonly used in commercial applications. This tree produces the paper used to print multiple magazines and papers, as well as cellophane wrapping. This is due to the wood’s white color and long fibers, which make it ideal for producing wood pulp for paper and cardboard. It is also utilized in pallets, packing containers, and produced boards for a variety of applications. Sitka spruce also produces construction grade lumber, which is the finest quality timber that is suitable for construction.
2. Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus Regnans)
Eucalyptus regnans, often known as mountain ash (in Victoria), giant ash, swamp gum (in Tasmania), or stringy gum, is a tall forest tree. The species is found in wet sclerophyll forests (tall open forests) in the Otway Ranges of southern Victoria, the Gippsland Forests of eastern Victoria, and the north-eastern and southern Tasmania. It can be found ranging from sea level to heights of over 1000 metres. Eucalyptus regnans is a broad-leaved, evergreen tree that grows to a height of 70-114 meters (230-374 feet). It is a fire-prone species. Unlike many other eucalypts, E.regnans is completely destroyed by strong fires and does not regrow from lignotubers or epicormic shoots under the bark.
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Genus: Eucalyptus
- Species: E. Regnans
- Height: 70 – 114.1 meters (230-374 feet)
- Location: Tasmania (Australia)
Mountain ash has a smooth tall trunk with the exception of the lower few metres, where the outer layer of bark survives. The trunk of the tree is white or gray in color. Given its size, this tree is only suitable for the largest gardens and parks. Eucalyptus regnans is an important timber tree that is used extensively in construction and the paper industry. Australia harvests timber from both natural and cultivated forests.
1. Coastal Redwood (Sequoia Sempervirens)
Sequoia sempervirens, the only surviving species of the genus Sequoia in the cypress family Cupressaceae, is commonly referred to as California redwood, coast redwood, and coastal redwood. It is a monoecious, evergreen tree that can survive for 1,200–2,200 years or beyond that. This species has the world’s tallest living trees, measuring up to 115.9 m (380.1 ft.) in height (without roots) and 8.9 m (29 ft.) in diameter at breast height. Coast redwoods can be found from southern Oregon to central California, but only up to fifty miles inland, depending on the climate. They also require abundant winter rain and mild year-round temperatures. In optimal conditions, a coast redwood can grow 2-3 feet every year.
- Family: Cupressaceae
- Genus: Sequoia
- Species: S. sempervirens
- Height: 70 – 115.9 meters (230-380.1 feet)
- Location: California (United States)
Coast redwoods can withstand decay, fungal infections, and insect attacks. Tannic acid and terpenoids found in redwood wood, bark, roots, and leaves give it these qualities. Mammals are another threat to redwoods: black bears have been found to eat the inner bark of small redwoods, and black-tailed deer have been observed to eat redwood sprouts. The trees have developed different adaptations to forest fires. Mature trees are shielded from fire damage due to the thick, fibrous bark of coast redwoods, which can reach a thickness of at least one foot.
Redwood was widely utilized for railroad ties and trestles throughout California due to its remarkable resistance to deterioration. Many of the old ties have been recycled and used as house beams, staircases, borders, and other structures in gardens. Turned items, veneers, and table tops can all be made from redwood burls.
Conclusion
Hope your climb to the list of top 10 tallest trees in the world was fun and you learned something. You can also read our other articles related to the science and the list of top 10s.
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Video Reference
Other References
- https://woodiwild.org/tree-species/manna-gum-eucalyptus-viminalis/
- https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.1079/cabicompendium.22784
- https://www.anbg.gov.au/emblems/eucalyptus-globulus-official-desc.html
- https://anpsa.org.au/plant_profiles/eucalyptus-regnans/
- https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/sitka-spruce
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190403124214/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/04/worlds-tallest-tropical-tree-discovered-climbed-borneo/
