SDG15
84.1 Meters High Cryptomeria-like Taiwania is the Highest Tree in East Asia
Taiwan Forestry Research Institute of Council of Agriculture measured how tall the cryptomeria-like Taiwania giant trees near the Da-An River this year. The number “55214” is the highest tree not only in Taiwan but also in East Asia as 84.1 meters high.
“Find Tree - Giant Tree Map” project is planned by professor Chi-Kuei Wang from the department of geomatics of NCKU and Rebecca Hsu from Taiwan Forestry Research Institute. The project has explored the forest in Taiwan for years. Until last year, the project had measured a total of 941 giant trees which are over 65 meters high. For a single area, the number of giant trees in Taiwan is among the best.
Hsu told the reporter from Central News Agency that they had discovered the potential of “55214” about 80 meters to be the highest tree in Taiwan by airborne laser scanner data. As the result, they formed a 20-person team to make the measurement during the Lunar new year period and get the precise data for 84.1 meters high and 8.5 meters round. According to the current information, the tree is the highest tree not only in Taiwan but also in East Asia.
The team went to the upstream of Da-An River for evaluation during the period of the Lunar new year. At an altitude of 2000 meters, it was really hard to evaluate on the spot due to the current and heavy wind. The temperature averaged under 10 degrees Celsius and even reached minus 1 or 2 degrees.
The age of “55214” is estimated at 700 to 800 at least. Hsu indicated that currently “55214” and its neighbors are all healthy. Also, the river valley terrain prevents them from thundering. Besides, Hsu called “55214” the “heaven sword of Da-An River” because it was the tallest one there.
Hsu indicated that the photograph of “Mount Tao Sacred Tree”, in the valley of Shei-Pa National Park and 79.1 meters high, was taken at the end of last year and expected to be revealed next month. In addition, they plan to make a documentary film to record the journey to find giant trees in these years, to guide more people to feel the beauty of the mountains and forests in Taiwan.
“Find Tree - Giant Tree Map” project is planned by professor Chi-Kuei Wang from the department of geomatics of NCKU and Rebecca Hsu from Taiwan Forestry Research Institute. The project has explored the forest in Taiwan for years. Until last year, the project had measured a total of 941 giant trees which are over 65 meters high. For a single area, the number of giant trees in Taiwan is among the best.
Hsu told the reporter from Central News Agency that they had discovered the potential of “55214” about 80 meters to be the highest tree in Taiwan by airborne laser scanner data. As the result, they formed a 20-person team to make the measurement during the Lunar new year period and get the precise data for 84.1 meters high and 8.5 meters round. According to the current information, the tree is the highest tree not only in Taiwan but also in East Asia.
The team went to the upstream of Da-An River for evaluation during the period of the Lunar new year. At an altitude of 2000 meters, it was really hard to evaluate on the spot due to the current and heavy wind. The temperature averaged under 10 degrees Celsius and even reached minus 1 or 2 degrees.
The age of “55214” is estimated at 700 to 800 at least. Hsu indicated that currently “55214” and its neighbors are all healthy. Also, the river valley terrain prevents them from thundering. Besides, Hsu called “55214” the “heaven sword of Da-An River” because it was the tallest one there.
Hsu indicated that the photograph of “Mount Tao Sacred Tree”, in the valley of Shei-Pa National Park and 79.1 meters high, was taken at the end of last year and expected to be revealed next month. In addition, they plan to make a documentary film to record the journey to find giant trees in these years, to guide more people to feel the beauty of the mountains and forests in Taiwan.
Taiwan Forestry Research Institute of Council of Agriculture measured how tall the cryptomeria-like Taiwania giant trees near the Da-An River this year. The number “55214” is the highest tree not only in Taiwan but also in East Asia as 84.1 meters high.
