Standing at 102 meters tall, the newly discovered giant cypress in Tibet surpasses the height of the Statue of Liberty by a significant margin.
The tallest cypress tree in Asia. (Photo: Peking University).
A cypress tree in China has been identified as the tallest tree discovered in Asia. This cypress is also believed to be the second tallest tree in the world, reaching a height of 102 meters, far exceeding the height of the Statue of Liberty (93 meters). The research team from Peking University discovered this giant cypress in May at the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon Nature Reserve in the Baima County of Linzhi Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, according to an announcement made by the university on June 19. The Yarlung Tsangpo is the deepest canyon in the world, with a maximum depth of 6,009 meters.
While the exact species of the cypress is yet to be confirmed, researchers speculate that it may belong to the Himalayan cypress (Cupressus torulosa) or the Tibetan cypress (Cupressus gigantea). The giant cypress has a diameter of 2.9 meters. Prior to this discovery, the tallest tree in Asia was a yellow meranti tree (Shorea faguetiana), which stands 101 meters tall and is located in the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah, Malaysia.
The Tibet Autonomous Region has a unique ecosystem that is increasingly influenced by global development and climate change. However, the Linzhi area has recently become a focal point for conservation efforts aimed at protecting its flora and fauna. Researchers from Peking University are documenting the tall trees in the region to gain a better understanding of environmental diversity and to assist in ecosystem preservation efforts.
In May 2022, researchers discovered an 83-meter tall fir tree in southwestern China, initially believing it to be the largest in the country. The same team also found a 77-meter tall tree in Matu County a month earlier. Continuing their survey this year, researchers are using drones, lasers, and radar to map the trees in the area and measure their heights from the ground.
The giant cypress captured from base to tip. (Photo: Peking University).
After several days of field surveys, the cypress in Baima County was confirmed as the tallest tree in Asia. Using drones, 3D laser scanning, and LIDAR technology, which employs beams of light to measure distances, the research team created a 3D model of the giant tree, providing accurate dimensions. This data allowed them to confirm it as the tallest tree in Asia.
Guo Qinghua, a professor at the Remote Sensing Institute of Peking University, noted that this cypress is particularly interesting because its root system is not entirely buried underground. The tree also features a complex branching system, creating an ideal environment and microclimate for several endangered plant and animal species.
Currently, the tallest tree in the world is the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), which stands at 116 meters in the Redwood National Park in California. This redwood is estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old and is nicknamed Hyperion, after a giant from Greek mythology, having been discovered in 2006.
