A thousand years old and 20 storeys high: tracking down Taiwan’s tallest trees

Taiwan's tallest and oldest trees, including the monumental Heaven Sword of the Da’an River, are not only towering natural wonders but also vital carbon sinks supporting diverse wildlife. These ancient giants offer intricate layers of habitat, from ferns on the forest floor to owls in hollow trunks. However, these sentinels of the forest are increasingly threatened by climate change and human activities, raising concerns about biodiversity and the urgent need for conservation to combat the climate crisis.