Guo's team discovered multiple trees in May that could potentially measure over 75 meters. A tree was measured at 83.2 meters by researchers, displacing a Taiwan cedar (Taiwania flousiana) measuring 72 meters tall in China's Yunnan province, a 76.8-meter Bhutan pine in Tibet's Metog county and a Taiwania cryptomerioides on the island of Taiwan, which stands at about 81 meters.

"In August, surveyors made a scientific expedition to Zayul again to carry out a more professional survey for the giant tree and regional biodiversity. By integrating measurement methods such as manual tree climbing and unmanned aerial vehicles, the new height of the tree was measured at 83.4 meters," said Wang Zi, a researcher and PhD student at the Institute of Botany.

Zayul county is located in the mountain valley area of the transitional zone between the Himalayas and the Hengduan Mountains, with an average elevation of 2,800 meters. Its climate is unique, complex and diverse, with abundant annual precipitation, a mild climate and moderate sunshine, Wang said.

The Zayul River — a tributary the Yarlung Zangbo River — and the Nujiang River in Zayul county have primal forests, which are home to the giant trees, Wang said.

"The climbing-tree survey and investigation reflect that the tree hosts more than 50 species of plants, including climbing plants, creepers, parasitic plants and other types, showing a unique and rich biodiversity on this tree and in surrounding areas," Wang said.