Trees play an important role in maintaining our planet's ecosystem. They produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, prevent soil erosion, and are home to many species of animals and plants.
Some trees reach truly gigantic sizes, surpassing their fellows by tens of meters in height and meters in trunk diameter.
These forest giants amaze us with their scale and remind us of the grandeur of nature. In this article, we will look at the 5 largest trees on our planet.
General Sherman is the largest tree in the world by trunk volume.
The world's largest tree by trunk volume is General Sherman, a giant sequoia growing in Sequoia National Park in California. Its age is estimated at approximately 2,300-2,700 years.
General Sherman is 83.8 meters high and has a diameter at the base of 11.1 meters. The trunk volume reaches 1,487 cubic meters.
This majestic tree is rightfully considered a living symbol of California.
Sequoia sempervirens is the tallest tree on Earth
The tree's height is no less impressive than its trunk's volume. The tallest tree is considered to be the Head of the Forest tree, which grows in California's Redwood National Park.
This is a representative of the giant sequoia species. The height of the Head of the Forest is 115.55 meters. The diameter of the trunk at the base is 4.84 meters. The age of this giant is estimated at 600-800 years.
Mountain Ash is the tallest tree in Australia
Among the trees of Australia, the Mountain Ash stands out in height. This is a eucalyptus that grows in the state of Victoria.
Its height is 101.5 meters. The age of the tree is estimated at 300-400 years. Mountain Ash is distinguished by a straight cylindrical trunk with a diameter of about 3 meters at the base. This tree is considered a national treasure of Australia.
The mammoth tree is one of the oldest trees on the planet
In Mexico, there is a unique tree called the Mammoth Tree. It is a representative of the Taxodiaceae species.
Its age is estimated at 2,500-3,000 years, making it one of the oldest trees on Earth. The height of the Mammoth Tree is 42 meters, the diameter of the trunk at the base is 9.38 meters. This tree is revered by the local population as sacred.
Takhe is the thickest tree in the world
The record holder for the thickest trunk is the giant Taje tree, growing on the island of Tenerife.
This is a representative of the endemic Canary Islands species Dracaena arborescens. The diameter of the trunk of Tahe at its thickest point reaches 12 meters. The height of the tree is 17 meters, and its age is about 1000 years. Tahe is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the thickest tree in the world.
Conclusion
These five giant trees amaze us with their size and age. They remind us of the grandeur and beauty of nature on our planet.
Preserving these botanical treasures is essential to maintaining the Earth's biodiversity. Studying them is also important for understanding the laws of plant growth and development.
