In 2006, American scientist Dr Roman Dial and two friends climbed up a 'Seraya Kuning Siput' (Shorea faquetiana) in Taman Bukit Tawau in Tawau Hills Park.

The trio risked life and limb in order to find out the accurate measurement of this tree, a tropical rainforest plant, located in the forest reserve of some 28,000 hectares.

After placing the end of the measuring tape at the tip of the highest point on the tree, Dr Dial, a professor in Biologi and Mathematic of Alaska Pacific University, finally recorded the tree's height at 88.32 metres.

That measurement made the Seraya Kuning Siput in Tawau Hills Park the highest tropical rainforest tree in the world.

After recording the tree's height, Dr Dial and his team then moved on to look for trees of other species in the park. In two square km there, they found seven more that measured more than 80 metres in height.

The discovery by Dr Dial and his team was recorded in the National Geographic magazine, July 2006 edition.

FOREST RESERVE

Even though the Seraya Kuning Siput in Tawau Hills Park is 10th among the world's tallest tree species, Malaysians should be proud of it as it is the tallest among the tropical species.

So far, the tallest tree in the world is of the redwood species (Sequoia sempervirens) found in Redwood Forest, Redwood National Park in California, United States at the height of 115.55 metres.

Meanwhile, out of the 25 tallest trees from various species various in the world, 11 are found in Tawau Hills Park with each exceeding 80 metres in height.

At the moment visitors to Tawau Hills Park would make it a must to view the world's tallest tropical rainforest tree there. A visit to the park is considered as 'incomplete' without taking a look at this gigantic tree.


TROPICAL TREE


He said the tree's capability to grow to such a height indicated that the volcanic soil that covered the park and its eco-system are still intact and should be continued to be conserved.

Ariffin said the tropical tree can live up to 200 years but its lifespan is also influenced by factors including soil stability and the risk of being struck by lightning.

He said the park's management authorities, placed under the Sabah, Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, would preserve the tree as best as they could to ensure that the tree lasts its lifespan.

"That is one of our tasks at Tawau Hills Park," he said.
 

The National Tree Planting Campaign : http://www.treesforlife.gov.my

A list of planted trees for reforestation in Malaysia

Location : Yuk Chin School, Tawau, Sabah

Acacia trees are found commonly in Malaysia.

Typical size is 60 cm diameter. Height of such a large acacia tree is around 20 meters