The Tallest Tree

I would like to comment on the news item that appeared in NST 26th January 2009 page 16 on the World's tallest tree. According to Mr. Evernius Andrew, the RA at the Tawau Hills Park, Sabah, the stand of Shorea faguetiana Heim (Dipterocarpaceae) or Seraya Kuning Siput at 88.32 m tall is the only tree recorded among the tallest in the World in the year 2005-2007. And accordingly, this stand is among the 10 tallest tropical trees in the World. Ironically, according to Prof. Peter Ashton (Ashton, 1982, Fl Malesiana), the specialist on Dipterocarpaceae, this species is only medium-sized. In Peninsular Malaysia, this species is widespread, and locally it is known as Seraya Hitam or Damar Siput. Some years ago, foresters reported the same species as having the tallest stem in Kelantan, but the measurement was not taken accurately. In Terengganu there are many stands of Cengal, Neobalanocarpus heimii (incidently this species is named after the forester who described S. faguetiana) whose diameter at breast height is enormous, measuring the arm-length of 12 people. Tropical forest areas are amazing in housing spectacular novelties and monumental trees and other plant life forms, including Rafflesia and Rhizanthes, and others.