Olivia Miwil New Straits Times 4 Apr 19;
KOTA KINABALU: Scientists from the University of Nottingham and University of Oxford, United Kingdom, have found the world’s first 100m tall tropical tree in Danum Valley Conservation Area, Lahad Datu.
The previous record of 96.9m was held by a Shorea faguetiana tree from the Dipterocarpaceae family in Tawau Hills Park last year. According to a National Geographic report the team which is working with Southeast Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP), has named the tree “menara”, which is Malay for tower.
The tree is longer than a soccer field and weighs approximately 81,500kg.
Initially, it was spotted from the air, before the actual height was determined by climbing and using a tape measure.
SEARPP research assistant Jamiluddin Jami who was tasked with the job, said it had not been easy as even the presence of tiny animals could be life-threatening.
“This kind of expedition is good for our community and rainforest conservation.
“It’s about friendship too, a successful climb like this is not about one person. You need a great, skilled team.
“It is important to know that conserving the primary rainforest is bearing fruit. Some of these unique, giant trees are still out there, they haven’t all been lost,” wrote the arborist in the report.
He said ever since he started getting involved in rainforest replanting programmes and planting seedlings at the age of 13, he realised the importance of the forest.
He said he hoped that the trees would be around for years to come for future generations to see.
In 2016, the New Straits Times reported that the whereabouts of the top 50 tallest tropical trees were located in Sabah, with 33 in the Danum Valley, 10 in Tabin, one in the Maliau Basin and others in the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) area.
The Danum Valley, Tabin, and Maliau Basin forest reserves are under the custody of the Yayasan Sabah Foundation, which is the state government’s statutory body.
UK scientists discover world's tallest tropical tree
BBC 5 Apr 19;
Scientists in the UK and Malaysia say they have discovered the world's tallest tropical tree measuring more than 100m (328ft) high.
The lofty yellow meranti was spotted in a Borneo rainforest by a team from the University of Nottingham last year.
Researchers from the University of Oxford then carried out 3D scans and drone flights to confirm the record.
The tree, found in the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah, has been named Menara, which is Malay for tower.
Local climber Unding Jami, who scaled the tree with a measuring tape, said it was a "scary and windy" ascent.
"But honestly the view from the top was incredible. I don't know what to say other than it was very, very, very amazing," he added.
Dr Doreen Boyd, from the University of Nottingham, said the find was key because "it's the science telling us these trees do exist, they are reaching heights we have perhaps never anticipated and there will be other tall trees out there that haven't been discovered yet".
"It tells us that we do need to protect these trees," she said.
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Dr Alexander Shenkin, from the University of Oxford, said after hearing about Nottingham's discovery, they made the "gruelling" three-hour trek to Menara.
He said: "I've seen what I thought were lots of tall trees, but when I walked up to this giant, your head just keeps going up and up as you look to the top.
"I've never seen a tree quite like it."
