The tallest specimens on earth

the essentials in brief

• The tallest living tree in the world is "Hyperion" in Redwood National Park, a coastal redwood tree with a height of 115.72m.
• The most voluminous tree in the world is the giant mammoth "General Sherman Tree" with 1,490 cubic meters in the Giant Forest of the Sequoia National Park.
• The thickest tree in the world is a Mexican bald cypress with a trunk circumference of 46 meters in Oaxaca, Mexico.

How big is the largest tree in the world?

The term “large” can be interpreted in different ways. “Big” in relation to trees can mean their height, but also their sheer mass or width. Therefore, different specimens are shortlisted for the title “largest tree in the world”.

Tallest tree

A coastal redwood tree (bot. Sequoia sempervirens) called "Hyperion", whose current height was measured at 115.72 meters. As unbelievable as it sounds, this impressive giant was only discovered in 2006 as it resides in a rather remote part of the Redwood National Park on California's Pacific coast is located. Incidentally, there are other record-breaking trees of the same species in the immediate vicinity:

• "Helios" with a height of 114.09 meters
• "Ikarus" with a height of 113.14 meters
• and "Daedalus" with a height of 110.76 meters

Incidentally, a 19. Australian giant eucalyptus (Eucalyptus regnans), which was discovered in the 19th century and measured an incredible 132.58 meters high. Unfortunately, this record was only established after the tree had already been felled.

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The mightiest tree in the world

Even the mightiest tree in the world is a sequoia tree, albeit one of the type of mountain or giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). This tree, known as the "General Sherman Tree", is probably the most voluminous tree in the world at around 1,490 cubic meters. It can be viewed in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park in California. Incidentally, the "General Sherman Tree" is not only particularly large, but also very old: Its age is estimated to be around 1900 to 2500 years. However, this does not make it one of the oldest trees in the world.

Thickest tree in the world

A Mexican bald cypress (Taxodium mucronatum) called "Árbol del Tule" currently bears this honorary title, with an impressive trunk circumference of 46 meters. It is true that this specimen, located in Santa María del Tule, Mexico (state of Oaxaca), has around 42 Meters in height, not unusually high, but extraordinary with an estimated weight of 636 tons heavy.

This video also provides an entertaining overview of the five most incredible trees in the world:

How big is the largest tree in Germany?

But also in Germany there are interesting record holders to admire under the trees. Germany's currently tallest tree is a Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) known as the “Waldtraut vom Mühlenwald”, which, according to measurements in 2017, is exactly 66.58 meters high. In the meantime, however, the very fast-growing wood should have added a few more centimeters, because the tree was only planted in 1913 and is still growing. On average, Douglas firs grow about 30 centimeters per year if the growing conditions are right. So you can still be curious. By the way, “Waltraud” can be seen near Freiburg, in the so-called Mühlenwald.

The thickest tree in Germany, on the other hand, is in the north, in the small Emsland community of Heede. The "millennial linden tree" is a summer linden tree with a trunk circumference of 18 meters - there is no larger linden tree in all of Europe. A total of 12 adults are required to encompass this tree. The crown of this tree is very impressive with a diameter of about 30 meters. It is supported by several branches that branch off from the main trunk at a height of about three meters. Many old and extensive trees have split and hollow trunks, but not this linden: atypically, its thick trunk is still comparatively firm and has only a few cavities.

What is the maximum height that trees can get?

As impressive as the giant trees presented here are: no growth lasts forever. Tree scientists - so-called dendrologists - have calculated the maximum height of a tree before its supply system collapses and the tree dies because he can no longer take care of himself: The relevant estimates of the scientists range from a maximum height between 130 and 150 Meters. Of course, this information does not apply to every tree species and not to every location, because only certain trees can reach such gigantic dimensions - and only that when they find sufficient water and nutrients, stand in a quiet location with sufficient light and, last but not least, are not cut down by people prematurely.

These tree species are particularly tall

These tree species are considered to be particularly tall:

Giant eucalyptus trees, as the name suggests, are huge

• Giant eucalyptus (Eucalyptus regnans): an evergreen tree native to Australia that can grow to around 65 meters in just 50 years. The currently tallest specimen of this species is in Tasmania and is 99.6 meters high.
• Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens): evergreen conifer from the cypress family, particularly common in California and a so-called “living fossil”, because sequoia trees already existed at the time of the dinosaurs
• Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum): Evergreen conifer native to California's Sierra Nevada and related to the coastal sequoia

In addition to these species, which all make up the largest tree specimens, there are a few other tall trees, which in individual cases also reach impressive dimensions. These include, for example:

• Yellow meranti tree (Shorea faguetiana): a specimen of this species found on Borneo is currently the tallest living deciduous tree with a height of 100.8 meters
• Common Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii): very fast-growing, but with an average of approx. 400 years not particularly old, can reach heights of over 100 meters

Average height of different tree species

The following table shows the heights of growth that are common in our mixed forests Reaching tree species - provided they are allowed to grow and are not previously used by forest workers sawed down. It turns out that Central European trees can grow to an average of around 30 meters. Into the eye However, the different species of fir fall, which with good growth conditions can reach 50 meters or, as in the case of the Nordmann fir, even up to 70 meters.

Digression

That's how tall our fruit trees get

Why do some trees get so extremely tall?

This rain tree is the largest of its kind in Thailand

In order for these giant trees to reach their impressive height, of course, a number of factors have to come together. In addition to genetics - the maximum height of growth is genetically determined in many species - it is primarily playing Environmental factors play a major role, only where optimal growth conditions prevail, the trees so big. Without the appropriate resources, however, they will remain significantly smaller - after all, sequoias that we have planted do not even come close to that high. For this reason, there are often several tall specimens next to each other, because the site conditions made it possible for different trees to grow extremely well.

In addition to these factors, other causes also play a major role: Resilience is one of them. The largest living things on earth, the sequoia trees, for example, have bark that is up to 70 centimeters thick - and that too is fireproof, as it exudes a protective liquid over the outer skin when it is hot, and is extreme is regenerative. The high tannic acid content also keeps insects and fungal pathogens away, so that Sequoia is practically immune to all kinds of pests and diseases.

frequently asked Questions

Can you visit the tallest tree in the world?

The location of the tallest tree in the world - "Hyperion" is kept secret in order to protect it from overly intrusive tourists. As unbelievable as it sounds: This tree is a shallow root, which is why trampling feet could cause considerable damage to its roots. In addition, the specimen is in a remote location that is neither paved nor signposted.

Are the tallest trees also the oldest?

No, because the height has nothing to do with age, but with the speed of growth. However, sequoias can also reach an extremely old age of several thousand years.

And which is the smallest tree in the world?

The so-called herb willow (Salix herbacea) is considered the smallest tree in the world. Although it is only about ten centimeters high, it has everything that defines a tree: a trunk, a crown, green foliage as well as flowers and fruits.