Baobab is the best. The largest trunk diameter is that of the baobab tree. A tree for all occasions

Looking at the environment around us, at the beauty that nature gives, at the trees that seem huge to us, you involuntarily ask the question: how old are the trees that we meet every day on our way to work? But that tree, which seems to be the largest among all, is just a small bush compared to the largest tree in the world. Not everyone has seen and knows that one tree that has incredible dimensions. So what is the largest tree in the world?

Some historical facts

The name of the giant and only living creature of this size is sequoiadendron. Sequoia is also called sequoia for a reason. In appearance, this tree resembles a mammoth with its huge size, and the hanging branches look like its tusks. For the first time in history, mention of sequoia appeared in 1853. Most often, these trees were found in western California, on the slope of the Sierra Nevada. The giant sequoiadendron amazed the people of the Old World, and representatives of this plant were given the names of great people. Liar Lindley, the first known botanist, was the first to describe the sequoia and named it after the English Duke of Wellington, who became a hero at the Battle of Waterloo. The Americans, having discovered another representative of the sequoia family, gave him the name George Washington in honor of the first president of the United States of America. After which, in 1939, the genus of giant trees received its name - sequoiadendron, which is used to this day.

Giant of our time

The largest tree in the world, the sequoiadendron, is currently located in the place where it was first discovered: in California. Now a national park with the same name “Sequoia” has been created there on the mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada. The largest tree in the world, whose name is General Sherman, is named after the commander and politician William Tecumseh Sherman. He gained his fame during the Civil War of 1861-1865. He was called a talented general, as he possessed tactics of attacking the enemy, which was beyond the control of anyone. The general is also notorious for his tactics called “scorched earth.”

Tree dimensions

The height of the largest tree in the world is more than eighty-three meters. The circumference of the trunk is twenty-four meters, and the crown is more than thirty-three.

The forest in which this giant grows is called the Giant Forest. In addition, other sequoias grow there, but much smaller in size. This forest was first discovered by explorer John Muir in the nineteenth century. It was he who gave it this name. Part of the national park where they grow huge trees, that’s what it’s called - Giant forest to this day.

Tourists who come to California specifically to see the largest tree in the world describe its bark as a red-orange stone, the top of which is impossible to see. When photographed next to the General Sherman tree, people look like tiny ants.

General Sherman's age

The question regarding the age of the legendary plant was controversial until recently. For a long time it was believed that the largest tree in the world is more than three thousand years old. But recently, experts, after conducting a series of studies, officially stated that the age of the legendary sequoiadendron is two and a half thousand years. It’s scary to imagine what this mighty tree could endure in order to grow to such stunning sizes. It is very difficult for a tree of this size to grow, and such giants die mainly not from old age, but because of the size of the branches, which are difficult for them to hold. The General Sherman tree also suffered losses in 2006. The largest and heaviest branch fell off, the diameter of which was two meters and the length was over thirty meters. When the branch fell, the fence and the road leading to the living attraction were destroyed. But even after such a loss, General Sherman’s tree did not cease to be considered the largest tree in the world.

In terms of size, General Sherman is the largest plant, but surprisingly not the oldest. The oldest tree is California pine, which was four and a half thousand years old. But unfortunately, it has not survived to this day, since it was cut down by unknown people in 1965. In the same year, trees were cut down that were as old as three thousand years. There is an opinion that there are still centenarians left on Earth, whose age is about five thousand years.

Tree growth

Even though the giant sequoiadendron is already huge, it continues to grow. Once a year, specialists take measurements, and it can be noted that the tree grows by one and a half centimeters every year.

In general, mature trees of the sequoiadendron species reach a height of one hundred meters, and a trunk diameter of up to twelve meters.

National Park and his workers made sure that all people could see the legendary giant and take a photo of the largest tree in the world. A special road has been built for people with disabilities, so they can see the tree as closely as possible.

also in national park There is a tunnel tree in California that attracts a lot of attention from tourists. This tunnel is made from a redwood tree that fell in 1937. Since there was no way to move or remove the tree, employees were forced to create a tunnel leading into the park, since the fallen tree lay right at the entrance to the living attractions area.

In addition, the park has the peak of Moro Rock, which offers an incredible view of the entire “forest of giants.”

But unfortunately, all the giants and long-livers of the national park may disappear from the face of the Earth. This threat is related to the climate in California. The drought, which has been going on for several years, threatens all plants, including the largest tree in the world - the sequoiadendron. No matter how powerful the redwood trees are, they cannot resist fires. Also, due to the dryness, new trees do not have the opportunity to appear. The park staff are trying in every way to maintain the beneficial life of the legendary plants.

People have always shown interest in everything. It is not for nothing that each country has its own book of records. But most of all, humanity was amazed by the wonders of nature. They will be discussed below. First, let's learn about the high tree in the world.

• General information

In this category, the absolute champion is the sequoia, whose height can reach 100 m. This tree is native to the Pacific coast of North America. You can see it not only in national parks, but also in some American and Canadian cities. So in Portland, redwood trees grow right on the streets. Sequoias are famous not only for their height, but also for their age. Some of them are 3 thousand years old. Sequoia is easily distinguished by its conical crown and cones. It also has a very thick bark, 30 cm wide. This giant can most often be found near the seashore or in wet gorges.

• Numbers

The most tall sequoia, known as Hyperion, grows in California in the Redwood National Park. The height of this tree is 115.8 m, and the diameter of the trunk is 5 m. The previous record holder was Helios, whose height reached 114.58 m. This tree is located in the same “Redwood”, which is no less interesting than. True, it occupied the palm for only a few months. Scientists keep the exact location of Hyperion secret so that tourists cannot destroy the local ecosystem.

Interesting fact. In the past, many trees were much taller. Thus, at the end of the 19th century, a 155 m high eucalyptus was discovered.

The oldest tree in the world

General information. Trees are among the longest-living organisms on the planet. There are at least 50 trees in the world that are over a thousand years old. The secret of their longevity is the peculiarities of the vascular system, which allows one part of the tree to die while the other continues to live. The real record holders for age among trees are pine trees. At 3000 years old they grow just as actively as at 100 years old. Unlike animals, they do not accumulate genetic mutations.

In addition to pine trees, there are also cypress trees among the long-livers. One of them grows in the city of Abarkuh, in Iran. Scientists say that it is already more than 4 thousand years old. And in Wales there is a yew tree, which, according to scientists, is 3 thousand years old. Can boast of age giant sequoia named General Sherman. Scientists believe that this tree is more than 2,700 years old.

• Numbers

It's hard to believe, but the oldest tree is 9550 years old! This is Old Tjikko spruce, which grows in Sweden on Mount Fulu. Before oldest tree considered the Methuselah pine from California national reserve. The named tree began its life in 2831 BC. It's hidden in Big Basin Bristlecone. It is surrounded by the same thousand-year-old pine trees. It is not for nothing that this place is called the Grove of the Ancients.

Interesting fact. How can plants survive the many climate changes that regularly occur on our planet? Scientists say that trees can, as it were, die for a while, and after a certain period of time give a new shoot.

The thickest tree in the world

General information. Baobabs are considered the widest trees on earth. They mainly grow in savannas tropical Africa, in Northern Australia and Madagascar. These trees can reach several tens of meters in diameter. Although their height rarely exceeds 25 m. The crown of such trees in diameter often exceeds 40 m. Baobabs bloom for several months a year. Their flowers are quite large (up to 20 cm) and very beautiful. They bloom in the evening, attracting bats. Baobab fruits are shaped somewhat like cucumbers. Mature baobabs often rot inside. According to one scientist, 30 people slept in the hollow of this tree. Sequoiadendrons or “ mammoth trees" Their diameter often exceeds 10 m. The above-mentioned sequoias are not far behind.

• Numbers

The European chestnut from Sicily, which grew on Mount Etna, once competed for the title of the thickest tree. Its diameter was 20.4 m. Now this title is borne by a tree named Thule. It grows in the Mexican city of Santa Maria del Tule. The circumference of its trunk is 42 m, and its diameter is 14 m. Although at first glance it looks more like several trees fused together. It will take at least 30 people to hug this tree, and its shade can protect 500 people from the sun. Thule is 40 m high and weighs 636 tons. Legend has it that the tree was planted by an Aztec priest 1,400 years ago. It is part of the UNESCO heritage.

Interesting fact. During drought, baobabs use up their own supply of moisture, so they can decrease in volume. This most often happens in winter. The bark of the baobab tree produces a strong fiber used to make fishing nets and fabrics. In addition, medicines against asthma, dysentery and colds are created from the bark. And the leaves of this record holder are even eaten. A drink similar to lemonade is made from the pulp of the fruit, which is why the baobab tree is often called the lemonade tree. In Africa there is even a bar that was opened in the trunk of a baobab tree. It's worth going for this alone

The regions where baobabs grow can be called a real “wonder of the world.” Wood of this plant has an extremely soft and porous structure, which, after infection with fungus, gradually collapses, forming huge voids. However, this does not particularly affect the viability of the tree; even if it is completely hollow inside, it can survive for several more decades. The natives of Africa have adapted to use this feature for practical purposes (for storing food and even arranging homes).

Where do baobabs grow?

In Africa, these giants grow only in arid tropical regions. As a rule, the immediate area is covered with grass, sparse bushes and trees, which are able to survive in conditions of a long hot period followed by the rainy season.

Baobab acclimatization has interesting story. A tree, like a sponge, absorbs nutrients along with moisture, which is retained thanks to the wide trunk. Its diameter often reaches ten meters or more. It is worth noting that the widest sample from the family in question had a width of 54.5 meters and was listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Peculiarities

Regardless of the area where baobabs grow, they are small in height compared to their width. This figure ranges from 17 to 25 meters. This configuration allows the tree to survive the burning rays of the sun.

At the same time, water in the plant is retained without evaporating using the bark, the thickness of which is about 100 millimeters. The rhizome plays a significant role in maintaining the desired microclimate; it spreads in several elements over tens of meters, collecting available moisture. It is noteworthy that in dry seasons, with excessive consumption of its own water reserves, the baobab tree slightly decreases in size, and after the rainy season it returns to its normal state.

Plant life

Where baobabs grow, interesting transformations are observed. During the dry season, the tree sheds its leaves and becomes like a plant with its roots sticking up. Among local population There is a popular belief that the baobab tree was punished by God for not wanting to live where it was intended.

After shedding its leaves, the tree begins to bloom (October-November). Round buds appear on the branches. At night they bloom, turning into large flowers(about 200 mm). The shoots are curved petals white with dark red stamens in the form of balls. The life span of a flower is only one night. For that a short time it manages to attract with its aroma bats and fruit bats. As they die, the remains of the shoots wither and emit bad smell and fall off.

Soon oval or round fruits appear, having a thick skin with hairs, containing sourish edible pulp. Baboons really like this filling, which is why Africans sometimes call the plant “breadfruit for monkeys.”

Vitality

We discussed above in what zone and where baobab grows. Below is some interesting data about this unique plant. The tree is distinguished by its survivability; although it has many internal holes, although it settles, gradually turning into a pile of fiber, it lives for several more tens, or even hundreds of years.

The bark of this plant has no less amazing properties. If it is completely torn off, the tree does not die, since the bark quickly grows back. Even after being cut down or damaged by elephants, remaining with one root, the plant will try to continue its growth, albeit in a lying position.

Scientists have not been able to establish the exact period of life of the baobab; all hypotheses tend to believe that the plant lives for at least a thousand years. It is worth noting that this tree has no rings, and its exact age can only be determined using radiocarbon dating.

Application

On the mainland where the baobab grows, its purpose does not end as food for baboons and elephants. The inner part of the tree is used by local residents as warehouses. Other parts of the plant are also used:

• Bark is used to make fibers, which are then used to make belts, bags, sacks, and nets. From the ash, medicinal tinctures are obtained to treat various diseases.
• Shoots and foliage - young elements are eaten, like asparagus, the dry parts are used to prepare spices.
• Pulp. The fruit filling tastes like ginger and is used for cooking soft drink. The ash from this part is used to produce oil, which is used to cook food.
• The seeds are eaten raw. A drink reminiscent of coffee is prepared from dry seeds.
• In addition, pollen, pulp and ash are used in cosmetology and for making glue.

In what country and where do baobabs grow? As already noted, the main habitat of these trees is tropical African savannas. Below are a few interesting facts associated with this unique plant:

• In winter, the regions where baobabs grow are too dry, so they shed their leaves.
• Some of the dried fruits of the tree African tribes make glasses.
• The pulp of the plant is used in Kenya to make sweets.
• In one night, a baobab flower manages to open, attract pollinators and wither, emitting an extremely unpleasant odor.
• The height of the plants in question does not exceed their diameter by more than 2-3 times.
• The baobab adorns the coats of arms of two states.
• In Zimbabwe, there is a bus station located inside a huge tree.
• The largest specimens reach a girth of 50 meters or more.
• The baobab tree is capable of storing more than 100 thousand liters of liquid inside itself.
• The vitamin C content in one fruit is identical to four oranges.
• The African baobab is pollinated by one of the species of bats that crash into the flowers, hunting for insects, and then spread the pollen on their bodies to other plants.
• The plant has no vegetation for nine months of the year, which looks very strange and unusual.

In conclusion

Where baobab trees grow, there is a belief among local residents that the tree used to be a person. He angered the Almighty, and in revenge he turned him into a plant, which he planted upside down. By the way, the second name for baobab among Africans is “inverted tree.”

What is the name of the largest tree in the world? It would seem that even a schoolchild knows the answer to this question - of course, it’s a sequoia! These giant trees that grow in North America not far from the Pacific coast, reaching a height of more than a hundred meters! To whom, if not them, should the palm be given? But it's not that simple. The point is that the question arises of how to count. Should we take into account only the height, or also the thickness and number of cubic meters of wood contained in the largest tree? And take into account only living trees, but ignore those whose dimensions were recorded in the nineteenth or early twentieth century, and then they were cut down or they were broken by a hurricane? But first things first.

The largest tree in the world in terms of height today is the sequoia, which received given name“Hyperion”, she has a “height” of one hundred and fifteen and a half meters. Interestingly, the tree was discovered and measured only in 2006. In second place is also the Helios sequoia with a height of one hundred fourteen meters and sixty-nine centimeters. The gap from the leader is only a little more than half a meter! In third place is “Icarus” with a height of just over one hundred and thirteen meters, and in fourth place is the sequoia “Giant of the Stratosphere” (one hundred and twelve meters).

It may seem that the largest tree in the world is necessarily a sequoia. No. The tallest trees in the relatively recent past were completely different trees that grew in southern hemisphere- in Australia. In 1872, a local forester recorded the height of a giant eucalyptus growing on his property. The height of the tree was much greater than that of the Hyperion: one hundred and fifty meters! And thirteen years later another one was measured Australian eucalyptus.
It turned out to be a little lower, but still significantly higher than all the current sequoias - one hundred and forty-three meters! Unfortunately, these giants did not live to see today. Most likely, these were very old trees, and they died a natural death.

Having figured out what the largest tree in the world is in height, let's see how things stand with coverage. Here, of course, African baobabs hold the palm. With a relatively small height (up to twenty-five meters), they have a coverage of forty meters! Like flattened barrels. The baobab is by far the thickest tree in the world. African explorer David Livingston claimed that he witnessed thirty people sleeping in the hollow of a baobab tree at once! Baobab is also one of the most long-lived trees. Using radiocarbon analysis, it was established that the largest baobabs are of a very respectable age - up to five thousand years! They were already several hundred years old when the construction of the first Egyptian pyramids began.

The most big trees in the world - not necessarily the tallest or the fattest. Banyan tree growing in one of the Indian national parks, compared to other record holders, has a very modest age - about two hundred and fifty years, and a relatively small height - twenty-five meters. But it is famous for being the tree with the largest crown in the world. It covers an area of ​​one and a half hectares! The banyan tree produces so-called “aerial roots” from its horizontal branches. Most of them die, but those that reach the ground take down real, “earth” roots and begin to quickly “get fat.” After a while they are almost impossible to distinguish from the trunk. From a distance, one such banyan tree appears to be a grove, but in fact it is just one tree with many natural “supports”.

Current

Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous