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World’s tallest trees

White Knight , Tasmania
White Knight / Nicolás Boullosa, Flickr. CC BY 2.0

WorldBlue  In short

Wondermondo has listed here the world’s tallest trees by champions of species. The list begins with the tallest trees and includes all the known species above the height of 80 m.

Please note: this list is far from the final truth! We can be confident that nature has created many more species of tall trees. Also, the listed trees are changing.

Map of the described tallest trees

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WorldYellow Some details

So… which are the world’s tallest trees?

Chandelier Tree, California
Chandelier Tree, California / Bobak Ha’Eri, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5.

The world’s tallest trees are several species of conifers and eucalypts, as well as dipterocarps.

Nowadays convincing champion is coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl.): many hundreds of these trees surpass the height of the second-highest tree species in the world.

When in 2000 there was found the highest known coast redwood – Stratosphere Giant (now 113.05 meters high), it was announced that the discovery of a taller tree is little likely. This is symptomatic – when somebody starts to think that all discoveries are made, new ones come. Since then over a few years, there were discovered three trees that are higher than Stratosphere Giant. The current publicly announced record – Hyperion – was discovered in September 2006. The height of Hyperion is close to the historical record of species. There are known taller coast redwoods, more than 116 m tall – but these trees are not publicly announced.

In January 2019 one more tree above the height of 100 m was announced – yellow meranti (Shorea faguetiana) in Sabah, Malaysia (this measurement though is contested). This is the tallest known flowering plant in the world, located in a grove with some 50 other trees exceeding the height of 90 meters. There is a possibility that higher trees will be found here.

Next tree species above 100 m was discovered in early 2021 – in Northern California was found a 100.2 m tall Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis).

Very close to the threshold of 100 meters – maybe exceeding it a little – are some trees in Australia. Mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans F.Muell.) named Centurion was discovered in Tasmania, Australia in 2008. Its height is 99.82 meters (or 100.5 m?). This species might have been the highest on Earth up to the late 19th century – there are reports of 132.6 meters high eucalyptus from 1871-1872 and more reliable measurement of another tree in 1881 – measured height was 114.3 m. Both these trees were located in Victoria where nowadays most eucalyptus have been felled. There are rumors of trees exceeding 150 meters in height from the middle of the 19th century. There are hopes for new trees – some eucalyptus has reached a height of 85 meters in 80 years’ time.

Other very tall trees

Several more species of trees are close to the threshold of 100 meters. The tallest known coast Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) in Oregon, United States is 99.75 meters high. There is a report of 142 meters high tree from Washington, United States from 1897.

(Un)completeness of the list of world’s tallest trees

Highest palms in the world in Cocora Valley, Colombia
Highest palms in the world in Cocora Valley, Colombia / Diego Andrés Alvarez Marín, Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0

Climbing a very tall tree is very hard. At first one should overcome 40 – 60 meters height until he reaches the first branches. At this moment a man already could be at the height of a 15-floor building. Then he should ascend the tip of the tree – as high as possible. It might be shaky and brittle and full height might not be reached. Measurement by trigonometric methods for the most part is out of the question – tall trees often grow in deep ravines, surrounded by other large trees.

Due to this the height of tall trees is not measured too often. We know very little about the world’s tallest trees.

Good example of this is the expedition of R.Dial (Alaska Pacific University) to Sabah, Malaysia in 2007. Here in the area of 2 km2 were found 8 species of trees exceeding the height of 80 meters!

Thus – the quest for the world’s tallest trees still is open.

WorldViolet List of the world’s tallest trees

Above 100 m

01

Hyperion

4.9 out of 10 stars 48.9%

United States, California

Height: 115.85 m

Species: coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)

This coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl.) is the world’s tallest tree. Its height is 115.85 m, diameter: is 4.84 m (2017). Contains 502 m3 of wood. In total, more than 500 coast redwoods exceed the height of 103 m. (1) There are known taller coast redwoods with a height close to 119 m but these trees are not announced to the public (10).

Hyperion, California
Hyperion / © Mario Vaden.
02

Menara – shorea tree in Danum Valley

4.6 out of 10 stars 45.8%

Malaysia, Sabah

Height: 100.8 m

Species: Shorea faguetiana

This Shorea faguetiana is 100.8 m tall (2019). The tallest known tree in the tropics and the tallest flowering plant in the world (22). It is possible that the correct height of the tree is smaller: 98.53 or even 97.58 m.

03

The 100.2 m tall Sitka Spruce

4.3 out of 10 stars 43.3%

United States, California

Height: 100.2 m

Species: Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)

Reportedly – the tallest Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong) Carr.), 100.2 m high (28).

95 – 100 m

04

Centurion

4.6 out of 10 stars 45.8%

Australia, Tasmania

Height: 99.82 m

Species: mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans)

The highest known mountain ash and eucalypt (Eucalyptus regnans F.Muell.) in the world. Height 99.82 m, diameter 4.05 m (girth roughly 13.7 m), volume 268 m3. In the past, this tree was at least 103 m tall but the top is broken (2,7). It is highly likely that the tree in 2019 was taller: 100,5 or even 101 m tall!

05

Doerner Fir (Brummet Fir, Brummitt Fir)

4.4 out of 10 stars 43.8%

United States, Oregon

Height: 99.76 m

Species: coast Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii)

The tallest coast Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) in the world. Height 99.76 m, diameter 3.54 m, volume 237 m3. Some time ago was 100.3 m tall (8). It is possible that by now (2022) another, 99.5 m tall tree of this species is the current record-holder.

Doerner Fir, Oregon
Doerner Fir, Oregon / US Bureau of Land Management, public domain
06

Tallest Giant Sequoia in Converse Basin

4.2 out of 10 stars 42.3%

United States, California

Height: 95.8 m

Species: giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)

The tallest giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum (Lindl.)), 95.8 m high (14).

90 – 95 m

07

Cypress tree near Bay Langdra Ney

4.4 out of 10 stars 44.3%

Bhutan, Wangdue

Height: 94.6 m

Species: Bhutan weeping cypress (Cupressus corneyana)

The tallest known Bhutan weeping cypress (Cupressus corneyana Carrière 1855). A sacred tree, 94.6 m tall, diameter 4.27 m (25).

08

Sir Vim

4.5 out of 10 stars 45.0%

Australia, Tasmania

Height: 91.3 m

Species: manna gum (Eucalyptus viminalis)

One of the trees in the group is named “White Knights”. The highest manna gum (Eucalyptus viminalis). 91.3 m (92?) high, diameter 3.30 m (girth 11.0 m), volume 180 m3 (2).

White Knight, Tasmania
White Knight / Nicolás Boullosa, Flickr. CC BY 2.0
09

Neemina Loggorale Meena

4.1 out of 10 stars 41.3%

Australia, Tasmania

Height: 90.7 m

Species: Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus)

Height 90.7 m, diameter 3.88 m, girth 12.2 m. There are claims that other specimens of species were up to 101 m tall (17). (There is older information about a 92.3 m tall tree named Metakareta in Styx River Valley (19)).

85 – 90 m

10

Dinizia excelsa at Jari River

Brazil, Para

Height: 88.5 m

Species: Dinizia excelsa

The tallest Angelim vermelho tree, girth – 9.9 m (29). The height of the tree was measured by LiDAR. In September 2022 the tree has reached by an expedition.

11

Boreas

4.2 out of 10 stars 41.8%

Australia, Tasmania

Height: 88 m

Species: Australian oak (Eucalyptus obliqua)

The tallest Australian oak (Eucalyptus obliqua L’Hér.). 88 m tall, girth 11 m, volume 193 m3 (19).

12

Alpine Ash in Florentine Valley

4.1 out of 10 stars 40.8%

Australia, Tasmania

Height: 87.9 m

Species: alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis)

The highest alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis R.T.Baker). Height 87.9 m, diameter 3.07 m, volume 161 m3 (19).

13

Noble fir in Goat Marsh (dead)

United States, Washington

Height: 86 m

Species: noble fir Abies procera

The tallest currently known specimen in species (Abies procera Rehder 1940), height 86 m (282 feet) (17). The tree is dead (2019) but nearby are healthy firs that are taller than 80 m. Tallest ever recorded – 99.06 m tall.

14

Pontiankak Putih Cantik (Tualang of Mengaris Knob)

Malaysia, Sabah

Height: 85.76 m

Species: Koompassia excelsa

The tallest measured tree of this species (Koompassia excelsa (Becc.) Taub.), 85.76 m tall. (4) There are unconfirmed reports of more tall trees in this species.

15

Dismissed

Australia, Tasmania

Height: 85.1 m

Species: swamp gum (Eucalyptus ovata)

The highest known swamp gum (Eucalyptus ovata Labill.), height – 85.1 m (16).

16

Stewart’s Tree (Stewart Karri)

4.2 out of 10 stars 41.8%

Australia, Western Australia

Height: 85 m

Species: karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor)

85 m tall karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) (20, also image on Google Earth). There are constantly found specimens that are more than 80 m tall.

17

Shining Gum in O’Shannassy catchment

4.1 out of 10 stars 41.3%

Australia, Victoria

Height: 85 m

Species: shining gum (Eucalyptus nitens)

85 m tall shining gum (Eucalyptus nitens) (20) in Yarra Ranges National Park.

80 – 85 m

18

Dark Red Meranti, Gaharu Ridge

Malaysia, Sabah

Height: 84.85 m

Species: Shorea argentifolia

84.85 m tall Shorea argentifolia, measured in 2007 (4).

19

Shorea superba, Gergassi Ridge

Malaysia, Sabah

Height: 84.4 m

Species: Shorea superba

84.4 m tall Shorea superba, measured in 2007 (4).

20

Pinus ponderosa in Sierra Nevada

United States, California

Height: 83.68 m

Species: ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa

The tallest known ponderosa pine, 83.68 m tall, discovered in 2017 (23).

21

Sugar Pine at Sierra Nevada mountains

4.1 out of 10 stars 40.8%

United States, California

Height: 83.5 m

Species: sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana)

The tallest known sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), 83.5 m tall, discovered in 2015 (11). It is highly likely that some trees in Oregon are even taller.

22

Abies ernestii var. salouenensis in ZayĂĽ county

Tibet, Nyingchi Prefecture

Height: 83.4 m

Species:Salween fir Abies ernestii var. salouenensis

83.4 m tall tree, measured in 2022 (26, 30).

23

Tsunami

United States, Washington

Height: 83.34 m

Species: Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)

83.34 m tall Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), discovered in 2011, the latest known measurement – 2014 but in 2019 the tree was healthy and, possibly, taller. Circumference – 6.04 m. According to (9) there are known taller western hemlocks.

24

Hopea nutans, Gaharu Ridge

Malaysia, Sabah

Height: 82.8 m

Species: Hopea nutans

82.8 m tall Hopea nutans, measured in 2007 (4).

25

Shorea johorensis, Coco-Park boundary

Malaysia, Sabah

Height: 82.4 m

Species: Shorea johorensis

82.4 m tall Shorea johorensis, measured in 2007 (4).

26

Shorea smithiana, Coco-Park boundary

Malaysia, Sabah

Height: 82.3 m

Species: Shorea smithiana

82.3 m tall Shorea smithiana, measured in 2007 (4).

27

The tallest Taiwania cryptomerioides

Taiwan

Height: 82 m

Species: Taiwania cryptomerioides

82 m tall tree, measured in March 2022 (27).

28

Entandrophragma excelsum, Kilimanjaro

Tanzania, Kilimanjaro

Height: 81.5 m

Species: Entandrophragma excelsum

81.5 m tall Entandrophragma excelsum, reported in 2016 (5).

29

Eucalyptus saligna in Woodbush Plantation (The Quartet)

South Africa, Limpopo

Height: 81.5 m

Species: Eucalyptus saligna

Tallest reported Eucalyptus saligna, planted the tree which originates from Australia. There is some confusion regarding this tree – according to some reports in September 2006 one Eucalyptus saligna of such height fell down during a storm. (3) Nevertheless another report from 2013 hints at existing Eucalyptus saligna in the same Woodbush Plantation as newly discovered and with the same height of 81.5 m. The circumference of the tree is only 3.28 m (6).

30

Shorea gibbosa, River Flats

Malaysia, Sabah

Height: 81.1 m

Species: Shorea gibbosa

81.1 m tall Shorea gibbosa, measured in 2007 (4).

31

Port Orford Cedar near Hiouchi

3.9 out of 10 stars 39.3%

United States, California

Height: 81.08 m

Species: Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)

The tallest known Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), 81.08 m tall, discovered in 2009 (12). Located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

32

Parashorea diversicolor in Borneo

Malaysia, Sabah

Height: 80.2 m

Species: Parashorea diversicolor

80.2 m tall tree (21).

WorldYellow References

  1. Hyperion, the world’s tallest living tree. Monumental Trees. Accessed in 24 December 2016.
  2. Register of Australia’s Champion Trees. Accessed in 24 December 2016.
  3. Izak van der Merwe, Tallest trees in Africa climbed: Eucalyptus saligna & E. regnans. Eucalyptologics, GIT Forestry Consulting’s Blog. Accessed in 24 December 2016.
  4. Roman Dial, Message from February 2007. Accessed in 24 December 2016.
  5. Andreas Hemp, Reiner Zimmermann, Sabine Remmele, Ulf Pommer, Bernd Berauer, Claudia Hemp, Markus Fischer. Africa’s highest mountain harbours Africa’s tallest trees. Biodiversity and Conservation, 17 October 2016. Accessed in 24 December 2016.
  6. David "Dak" Wiles, message Explore: The Ancient Trees Of Africa: Tree Height Data in Native Tree Society BBS forum. Accessed on 24 December 2016.
  7. Brett Mifsud et al, message "Centurion re-measured" on Native Tree Society BBS forum, December 30 2014. Accessed on 24 December 2016.
  8. Doerner Fir | Tallest Douglas Fir, Coast Redwood Adventures, accessed on 23 December 2016.
  9. World’s Tallest Hemlock Discovery of 2011, Coast Redwood Adventures, accessed on 26 December 2016.
  10. Hyperion Coast Redwood, Coast Redwood Adventures, last accessed on 3 December 2019.
  11. World’s Tallest Pine. 268.29′ Ponderosa ~ 2011, Coast Redwood Adventures, accessed on 26 December 2016.
  12. Tallest Port Orford Cedar, Coast Redwood Adventures, accessed on 26 December 2016.
  13. M. W.Taylor, New 370′ class redwood to report, CA eNTS: The Magazine of the Native Tree Society – Volume 1, Number 7, July 2011, page 87. Accessed on 26 December 2016.
  14. Monumental Trees, Giant sequoia in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, accessed on 23nd December 2016.
  15. Mongabay, World’s tallest tropical tree discovered, along with nearly 50 other record-breakers, 10 November 2016. Accessed on December 23, 2016.
  16. Giant Trees. Tasmania’s world class giants.
  17. Native Tree Society BBS. Accessed in 3 December 2019.
  18. Gray B. Size composition and regeneration of Araucaria stands in New Guinea. Journal of Ecology (British Ecological Society), 63: 273-289.
  19. Herrmann, Walter. Vulnerability of Tasmanian Giant Trees. Australian Forestry Volume 69 Issue 4 (Dec 2006).
  20. Brett M. Mifsud. Victoria’s tallest trees. Australian Forestry 66(3), September 2003. Accessed on 27th December 2016.
  21. D. Y. P. Tng, G. J. Williamson, G. J. Jordan, D. M. J. S. Bowman. Giant eucalypts – globally unique fire-adapted rain-forest trees?, see Table S1 "Tree species known to reach 70 m in height in natural vegetation" New Phytologist, Vol 196, Issue 4, December 2012, pp.1001 – 1014. Accessed on the 27th December 2016.
  22. Mary Gagen, The world’s tallest known tropical tree has been found—and climbed, National Geographic, April 3, 2019. Accessed on 5th April, 2019.
  23. M.W.Taylor, Native Tree Society BBS, April 29, 2017. Accessed on 4th December, 2019.
  24. Tobias Jackson and Sami Rifai. The Amazon’s new tallest tree is 50% taller than previous tallest tree, Phys.org, September 12, 2019. Accessed on 4th December 2019.
  25. Historically Significant Trees of Bhutan. Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research. 2018.
  26. 83.2 meters! China’s tallest tree discovered in Tibet. Ecns.cn. 20 May 2022.
  27. Twitter message by Cho-ying Huang. 23 March, 2022.
  28. M. W. Taylor, New 100 m tree species confirmed!, 3 July 2021. Native Tree Society BBS. Accessed on 26 June 2022.
  29. We’ve Finally Reached The Tallest Tree in The Amazon 3 Years After Its Discovery, 9 October 2022. ScienceAlert. Accessed on 28 December 2022.
  30. Xi Zhinong, The Hunt for
    China’s Tallest Tree    , 13 December 2022. Sixth Tone. Accessed on 28 December 2022.

Changes in the list, 2022

  1. Added the newly discovered Salween fir in ZayĂĽ county, 83.4 m tall.
  2. Added the newly discovered Taiwania cryptmerioides in Taiwan, 82 m tall.
  3. Added the newly discovered Picea sitchensis in California, United States, 100.2 m tall, replacing the former champion: Raven’s Tower.

Other articles about the trees:

WorldYellow Recommended books

King Sequoia


From a towering tree, one of California’s preeminent naturalists unspools a history that echoes across generations and continents. Former park ranger William C. Tweed takes readers on a tour of the Big Trees in a narrative that travels deep into the Sierras, around the West, and all the way to New Zealand; and in doing so he explores the American public’s evolving relationship with sequoias.

Giant Trees of Western America and the World


As a child growing up in the Fraser Valley, Al Carder was awed by the ancient Douglas fir forest and spent hours staring up at trees that commonly stood over 300 feet high. Sixty years later, after retiring from his career as a plant biologist, he set out to find the trees that had transfixed him in his youth. Discovering many of them felled by storms or loggers, he determined to document those that were left before they could vanish from our memories as well as from our landscapes.


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