Taiwan's Hidden Giants: Uncovering the World's Most Elusive Trees Deep within Taiwan's rugged mountains lies a lost world of giant trees, their towering canopies hiding in plain sight for centuries.
Scientists from the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute and a coalition of citizen scientists have been searching for these gargantuan firs, known as Taiwania cryptomerioides, with LiDAR mapping technology and an unwavering commitment to discovery.
Their efforts have revealed a hidden treasure trove of biodiversity, replete with trees that defy explanation. The newly discovered Taiwania fir stands at 84. 1 meters tall, the tallest known in East Asia.