Taiwan Discovers Its Tallest Tree Using New Technology
Taiwan Discovers Its Tallest Tree Using New Technology
Updated at: June 9, 2026 at 01:00 AM
Taiwan has officially discovered East Asia’s tallest tree, a massive 84.1-meter Taiwania fir known as the 'Heaven Sword of the Da'an River.'
Estimated at 1,000 years old, this majestic giant resides in the rugged Sheshan mountain range.
Its discovery highlights the power of modern technology combined with community effort.
To locate such a landmark, researchers used airborne LiDAR technology to penetrate dense forest canopies.
To solve this, 372 citizen scientists analyzed thousands of LiDAR images to narrow down potential sites.
After years of preparation, a professional team undertook a grueling expedition, including 20 kilometers of river tracing and steep hiking, to reach and measure the tree manually.
The successful identification of this giant emphasizes the importance of using both advanced technology and public involvement to monitor and protect Taiwan's remote ecological treasures, ensuring that these 'trees that hit the moon' continue to thrive for centuries to come.
