We are lucky to have some tall trees here in Cincinnati. Not every tree company in the US gets to deal with the lush, well-hydrated forests of Hamilton County.
It got us to thinking, though: what are the tallest of the tall? Which trees are the loftiest on the planet, and how high do they go?
We did a bit of research, and in the style of David Letterman, found a top ten for you.
10. The Diniza Excelsa of Brazil – 290 feet tall
Yes, we are looking for specific trees here, not just varieties. This particular tree lives near the border between the states of Para and Amapa in Brazil. It is a semi-deciduous variety in the rainforest, and its timber is highly valued for its strength and longevity.
9. The Abies Procera of Washington State – 295 feet tall
In plain terms, we call this a Noble Fir, and we use the Noble Fir for Christmas trees. This one is in the Goat Marsh Research Natural Area in Washington.
8. The Southern Blue Gum of Australia – 298 feet tall
This tree lives in Tasmania, in Evercreech Forest Reserve. It is a type of eucalyptus tree – it is Australia, after all – which makes it a fast-growing evergreen. It is not actually blue.
7. The Manna Gum of California – 302 feet tall
This is the first in our list to be taller than a football field is wide. Topping 100 yards in height, this manna gum (also called a ribbon gum or a white gum) is in Sequoia National Forest. Ever heard of “manna from heaven”? This tree drips a white, sugary substance from its foliage, and that substance is called manna.
6. The Giant Sequoia of California – 316 feet tall
Same park, taller tree. The giant sequoia is endangered, as less than 100,000 remain on the planet.
5. The Sitka Spruce of California – 317 feet tall
Is it fair that the Golden State gets all these giants? Maybe not. That said, this coniferous big boy lives in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
4. The Coast Douglas-Fir of Oregon – 327 feet tall
In Portland, there is a great live music venue called the Doug Fir. And it is named after this tree, which takes up residence in Coos County, Oregon, near Summit Creek.
3. The Mountain Ash of Australia – 329 feet tall
It’s back to Tasmania for this one, to the Arve Valley. It’s also called a swamp gum tree or a stringy gum tree. “Mountain Ash” sounds more majestic, though.
2. The Yellow Meranti of Borneo – 331 feet tall
It’s the world’s highest tropical tree, also called a Menara. The folks who found it say there may be a taller one on the island of Borneo, and they continue to search for it.
1. The Coast Redwood of California – 380 feet tall
Yes, the tallest tree on Earth stands nearly 50 feet taller than the runner-up. The precise coordinates of this legendary tree are kept secret, however, for fear that a tourist may cause it harm. The Sequoia Sempervirens, nicknamed “Hyperion,” stands tall, stands proud, and stands somewhere on the West Coast of the US.
