Tallest tree

Coast redwood

Latin name: Sequoia sempervirens
Superpowers: Taller than eight buses stacked end to end
Where from: California, USA

The evergreen coast redwood is the world’s tallest living tree. They often reach heights of 107m and diameters of 5m and the biggest ever was discovered in August 2000 when it measured 112.6m.

They grow to their greatest size along the west coast of America, in sheltered and damp areas with rich soil. Young redwoods can grow 2m in a single season and they use sunlight so efficiently that they can grow even in deep shade. Their ability to transport water all the way from the soil to the leaves is amazing – like sucking a drink through a 100m long straw – and they are also believed to get water directly from foggy air.