Winter 2024 project
MEASURING NEW SOUTH WALES TALLEST TREES
With a last minute mystery contender breaking all expectations.
The Three Contenders
Woodford Tree
Sydney Blue Gum
Eucalyptus deanei
Reported between 71-72m
Big Spotty
Spotted Gum
Corymbia maculata
Reported between 66-70m
The Grandis
Flooded Gum
Eucalyptus grandis
Reported between 70-76m
Tape Drop Methodology
There are many ways to measure the height of a tree. However, none are as simple as one continuous tape measure from the tips of the leaves to the ground. Getting the tape measure up there is of course the challenge. Each measurement is validated by a drone with a level camera to ensure accuracy.
Ground Point Matters
Behind is a LiDAR scan of The Grandis, the difference between high and low points of ground contact is over two metres. This is makes either a 69m tree or a 71m tree, ground point matters.
Measuring from Mid point of ground, also called germination point, is the fairest point to measure height from. Most giant trees that remain are on steep slopes because logging and land clearing historically preferenced flatter, easier terrain.
As a result measuring from mid point of ground is a standardised point of measurement for champion trees. It ensures the complex character of the tree is fairly represented.
A Surprise Contender
Almost as soon as we shared the news about Big Spotty being the tallest, Jonas Bellchambers from Northern NSW sent us a message. He said that he had located some very tall trees residing in a hidden valley of the New England area.
We had been speaking with Brett Mifsud about long forgotten reports from the 1990’s suggesting that an extremely tall grove of trees existed in the New England area. We had decided to delay an expedition to try and find these trees until next year because our dates just didn’t line up.
However, as soon as we shared the news with Brett an unstoppable force had been unleashed. So in very short time we assembled a team of nine big tree experts to spend two intense days measuring this mysterious grove of trees.
Access involved descending more than 300m off the edge of the plateau and hauling heavy packs of equipment 6km through “dynamic” terrain.
RUBICON
82.26 metres tall
208 cubic meters
Ribbon Gum
Eucalyptus nobilis
The Results
#1 Rubicon 82.26m
Ribbon Gum
Eucalyptus Nobilis
#2 Big Spotty 70.93m
Spotted Gum
(Corymbia maculata)
#3 The Grandis 70.25m
Flooded Gum
(Eucalyptus grandis)
#4 Woodford 69.53
Sydney Blue Gum
(Eucalyptus deanei)
Jonas Bellchambers provided the initial tree measurements and site scouting.
Eli Bendal made a canopy height model of the area allowing us to target the two tallest trees.
Sam Hardingham from Everydayarbor in Newcastle recently placed second in the NSW Tree Climbing Championships. Sam has helped us and many others out sending big projects. He beings that calm professional enthusiasm and is a delight to work with.
Toni Sterai recently won the NSW Tree Climbing Championships. We’ve been lucky to spend many hours with Toni laughing in the tree tops in Tasmania. She’s an absolute legend.
Methodology is Key
We measured all trees using the internationally recognised methodology laid out by American Forests.
You can download their comprehensive document at https://www.americanforests.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/AF-Tree-Measuring-Guidelines_LR.pdf.
In short we measure using a single 90m measuring tape from tip to average ground height. This means that we split the difference between the high and low contact points of the stem with the ground. We exclude any exposed roots that extend away from the stem.
We also take great care to drop the tape plum to the ground contact point. Any deflection of the tape though the branches or the tape being caught by the wind and bowing can add to the value.
