Tanzania can enter the book of records once again. This discovery from the year 2016 was unknown to the Tanzania Experts Team until recently. A well informed Safari guest kindly pointed it out to our advisor Lizz:

The biologist Dr. Andreas Hemp, a scientist from the University of Bayreuth, has measured the tallest tree in Africa so far in the course of his research work “Kilimanjaro ecosystems under global change”. The tree giant (Latin name: Entandrophragma Excelsum) stands in a remote valley on the continent’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, and measures an amazing 81.5 metres.

The colossus in Tanzania has beaten the previous tree height record in Africa, which was held by a specimen of the Sydney Blue Gum tree (Eucalyptus saligna) in South Africa. Andreas Hemp’s team discovered this area with the many large trees more than 20 years ago, but only recently he and his team were able to determine the exact height with modern laser measuring instruments. The team estimates the age of the giant trees to be about 500 to 600 years. The scientists attribute the record holder’s impressive growth to a combination of nutrient-rich volcanic soils, moderate temperatures and above-average rainfall. Thanks to our attentive safari guest! Enclosed is a relevant article of the ‘Nordbayerischer Kurier’:

kurier.de

© Photos Andreas Hemp (University Bayreuth), monumentaltrees.com, forestry.co.za