Centurion (tree)
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| Centurion | |
|---|---|
A photo of Centurion taken in April 2009 | |
| Species | Eucalyptus regnans |
| Coordinates | 43°05′52″S 146°48′08″E / 43.097684°S 146.802085°E |
| Height | 96 m (315 ft) |
| Diameter | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
Centurion is the name given to a single Eucalyptus regnans tree growing in Southern Tasmania, Australia. The tree was first measured by climber-deployed tapeline at 99.6 metres (327 ft) tall in 2008, and was subsequently re-measured to be 100.5 metres (330 ft) tall by ground laser in 2018.[1][2][3] This discovery places E. regnans as the third-tallest tree species in the world after the coast redwood and the Himalayan cypress (which is generally much shorter), and taller than both the Sitka spruce and Coastal Douglas Fir.[4][5] It was discovered in August 2008 by employees of Forestry Tasmania while analysing the data collected by LiDAR system used in mapping and assessment of state forest resources.[6]
The tree is in a small patch of very old forest surrounded by secondary forest and has survived logging and forest fires by coincidence. Near Centurion grew two other giant trees: the 86.5-metre-tall (284 ft) E. regnans named Triarius and The Prefect, which had a girth of 19 m until destroyed in the 2019 fires.[7]
In February 2019 it was damaged from a bushfire that devastated the surrounding area but appears to have initially survived. A new hollow in the base was created by the fire.[8]