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Taiwania cryptomerioides in Da-an River reaches 84.1 meters, setting East Asia's tallest record.
This year, during the Lunar New Year, the giant Taiwania cryptomerioides in Da-an river, measured by the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute of the Council of Agriculture, was confirmed with the number "55214" and a height of 84.1 meters, making it not only the tallest in Taiwan but also the tallest in East Asia.
The "Taiwan champion trees" project jointly conceived by Professor Chi-Kuei Wang (Scopus) of the Department of Surveying and Spatial Information a NCKU and Assistant Researcher Chia-Chun Hsu of the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, has been exploring Taiwan's forests for many years. By the end of last year, they had surveyed a total of 941 giant trees in Taiwan with a height exceeding 65 meters, distributed in areas such as the Central Mountain Range, Xueshan, and Alishan. In terms of a single region, Taiwan ranks among the top globally in terms of the number of giant trees.
Dr. Hsu told reporters from the Central News Agency that during the airborne LiDAR data collection across Taiwan, they discovered the Taiwania cryptomerioides with the number "55214," which was approximately 80 meters tall and had the potential to become Taiwan's tallest tree. Therefore, during the Lunar New Year, a team of 20 people was organized to conduct measurements, ultimately confirming the tree's height at 84.1 meters and a circumference of about 8.5 meters. Not only is it Taiwan's tallest giant tree, but based on current data, it is also the tallest in East Asia.
Dr. Hsu explained that the team conducted actual measurements of the "55214" tree in the upper reaches of Da-an river during the Lunar New Year. However, the task was made more challenging due to the cold weather and strong winds. The average temperature in the mountainous area at an altitude of about 2,000 meters was less than 10 degrees Celsius, dropping to around 1 or 2 degrees Celsius below zero on several days.
Due to the strong winds and tree sway during the measurement, Dr. Hsu said they had to use a tape measure that was 50 meters long, requiring it to be divided into sections to complete the measurement of the entire tree. At one point, about 7 to 8 meters from the top of the tree, which is equivalent to nearly 30 floors high, "4 or 5 team members could only hang on the tree and wait for the wind to stop."
She pointed out that the estimated age of "55214" is at least 700 to 800 years old, and currently, both "55214" and the surrounding trees are in good health. Additionally, being located in valley terrain and not on a ridge line, it is less susceptible to lightning and wind risks.
Dr. Hsu stated that they had already taken life-size photos of the giant Taiwania cryptomerioides "Taoshan Divine Tree," which stands at an impressive 79.1 meters in a valley in Shei-Pa National Park, and they plan to release it next month. They also plan to compile the journey of seeking giant trees over the past few years into a documentary to allow more people to experience the beauty of Taiwan's forests.
The "Taiwan champion trees" project jointly conceived by Professor Chi-Kuei Wang (Scopus) of the Department of Surveying and Spatial Information a NCKU and Assistant Researcher Chia-Chun Hsu of the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, has been exploring Taiwan's forests for many years. By the end of last year, they had surveyed a total of 941 giant trees in Taiwan with a height exceeding 65 meters, distributed in areas such as the Central Mountain Range, Xueshan, and Alishan. In terms of a single region, Taiwan ranks among the top globally in terms of the number of giant trees.
Dr. Hsu told reporters from the Central News Agency that during the airborne LiDAR data collection across Taiwan, they discovered the Taiwania cryptomerioides with the number "55214," which was approximately 80 meters tall and had the potential to become Taiwan's tallest tree. Therefore, during the Lunar New Year, a team of 20 people was organized to conduct measurements, ultimately confirming the tree's height at 84.1 meters and a circumference of about 8.5 meters. Not only is it Taiwan's tallest giant tree, but based on current data, it is also the tallest in East Asia.
Dr. Hsu explained that the team conducted actual measurements of the "55214" tree in the upper reaches of Da-an river during the Lunar New Year. However, the task was made more challenging due to the cold weather and strong winds. The average temperature in the mountainous area at an altitude of about 2,000 meters was less than 10 degrees Celsius, dropping to around 1 or 2 degrees Celsius below zero on several days.
Due to the strong winds and tree sway during the measurement, Dr. Hsu said they had to use a tape measure that was 50 meters long, requiring it to be divided into sections to complete the measurement of the entire tree. At one point, about 7 to 8 meters from the top of the tree, which is equivalent to nearly 30 floors high, "4 or 5 team members could only hang on the tree and wait for the wind to stop."
She pointed out that the estimated age of "55214" is at least 700 to 800 years old, and currently, both "55214" and the surrounding trees are in good health. Additionally, being located in valley terrain and not on a ridge line, it is less susceptible to lightning and wind risks.
Dr. Hsu stated that they had already taken life-size photos of the giant Taiwania cryptomerioides "Taoshan Divine Tree," which stands at an impressive 79.1 meters in a valley in Shei-Pa National Park, and they plan to release it next month. They also plan to compile the journey of seeking giant trees over the past few years into a documentary to allow more people to experience the beauty of Taiwan's forests.
The Council of Agriculture's Forestry Research Institute confirmed Taiwan's tallest Taiwan red cypress tree along the Da-an River with code '55214,' standing at 84.1 meters, also the tallest in East Asia. (Image source: facebook.com/TaiwanATG)
