The Tallest Tree

The world’s tallest standing tree is a Coast Redwood at 379.1 feet tall, located in Redwood National Park in California. The stoutest tree in the world (the girth of the tree) is an African Baobab, with a circumference of 52 feet. The largest tree (in volume) is a Giant Sequoia named General Sherman located in Sequoia National Park in California. There has been much debate over which is the tallest tree in the world. This partly comes from poor methods of measuring and much exaggeration. Perhaps the simplest and most accurate way to measure giant trees is by climbing to the top and dropping down a tape measure. Historical claims of trees growing to 490 or 500 feet tall are now disregarded as unreliable and/or attributed to human error.

The northern coast of California seems to be the ideal location for tall trees to grow. In fact, of the 10 tallest trees in the world, three are in California and one is in Oregon (a Coast Douglas Fir measuring 326 ft.). Yet there are also four record-breaking trees in Tasmania, Australia. The other two countries with the tallest trees are the Philippines and Borneo.

Jesus was crucified on a wooden cross, sometimes referred to as a tree (1 Peter 2:24). When Christ died, it was as if a mighty tree had fallen. “And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last” (Mark 15:37). Actually, something did fall. “Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (v. 38). This refers to the inner veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the sanctuary. Only the High Priest could enter beyond the veil to speak with God on behalf of the Lord’s people. The rending of this curtain signified that the old order of ceremonies and sacrifices had passed.

Jesus’ death on the “tree” of Calvary opened a new era when people could approach God directly through Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. We may now reach new heights because the tallest Tree had been cut down.

Key Bible Texts

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13 KJV)