The tallest tropical tree in the world is 100.8 m high, weighing 81.5 tons

The tallest tropical tree in the world currently lives in Malaysia, named 'Menara' (in Malay meaning 'Tower'), 100.8 m high, weighing 81.5 tons without roots.

British and Malaysian scientists have struggled to climb the Menara tree to measure tree height with a tape measure, Live Science reported on April 6. If the tree is on the ground, it is longer than the length of the football field. Menara broke the previous record of a eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus regnans) on Australia's Tasmania island - 99.6 m high.

Scientists estimate that the weight of the Menara tree (non-rooted) is 81.5 tons, heavier than the maximum weight when taking off the passenger plane Boeing 737-800, according to National Geographic.

Menara is also the tallest flower plant in the world. Trees living in tropical rainforests in the state of Sabah are located on the island of Borneo.

By studying Menara, scientists hope to understand how plants grow taller and whether there are any factors that help them grow higher.

Menara belongs to the tree species Shorea faguetiana, the Dipterocarpaceae family living in the wet lowland rain forests of Southeast Asia.

British and Malaysian scientists discovered the highest Menara tree in the world when using laser technology called lidar. The aircraft carries overhead overhead lidar equipment and shoots laser pulses downwards. They reverberate when they touch the forest and ground, providing data for topological maps.

After reviewing the data, the researchers went to the field to observe the Menara tree in August 2018. Here, they scanned trees with ground lasers to create high-resolution 3D images. They also take photos from above using unmanned drones (drones). A local man named Unding Jami climbed very well and climbed Menara in January 2019 to use a measuring tape to accurately measure the height of the tree.

Climb the world's tallest tropical tree not for the faint of heart.Photo: National Geographic.

'This climb is very scary, the wind is too high. But to be honest, the scene on the top of the tree is too top. I don't know how to say it, it can only be very, very, very wonderful , 'Jami said.

Tall trees are easily affected by the wind but thanks to the peaceful location in a valley, Menara does not break down until today. However, there are a number of factors that can prevent trees from growing taller, such as strenuous trees with bringing water from the roots to the upper branches.