Centurion (tree)
The Centurion is the tallest Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus) tree (Eucalyptus regnans F.Muell.) in the world, thus making Eucalyptus regnans the third tallest tree species in the world after Coast Redwood and Coast Douglas-fir and the tallest angiosperm in world. The tree is located in southern Tasmania, Australia and is 99.6 metres tall.
Discovered in August 2008 by employees of Forestry Tasmania while analysing the data collected by LiDAR system used in mapping and assessment of state forest resources.[1] Initial announcement that the height of tree exceeded 100 metres were later proved to be erroneous by climbing and directly measuring the tree.[2]
The diameter of Centurion is 4.05 metres, and its girth exceeds 12 metres. Its volume has been estimated at 268 cubic metres. The name "Centurion" was saved for the hundredth noble tree to be discovered by Forestry Tasmania and coincided with the height of the tree. Named after centurions (Roman officers), the root of the name contains centum, which in Latin means "one hundred". Centurion is alternately known as "the Bradman" as the height of the tree, 99.6 metres, is close to the test run average of the legendary Australian cricketer Donald Bradman.[3]
The tree was only recently discovered because it is located in a secondary forest and survived logging and forest fires by lucky coincidence. Near Centurion grows another giant tree: the 86.5 metre tall Swamp Gum named Triarius.
See also
References
- ^ Forestry Tasmania. "Welcome to the Centurion!". Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ Forestry Tasmania. "Giant Trees. Tasmania's world class giants". Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ Forestry Tasmania. "New series of Going Bush screens Sundays at 5.30pm" (Press release). Retrieved 2010-01-03.