Giant trees as high as 102.3 meters were found in Tibet, and cypress became the tallest tree species in Asia.

It was learned from Shanshui Nature Reserve that a joint investigation team led by Peking University found a giant tree (Tibetan cypress) with a height of102.3m in bomi county, Linzhi City, Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve in Tibet. This discovery has refreshed the world's highest tree ranking by tree species. Cedar in Tibet has become the second tallest tree species in the world, second only to sequoia on the coast of the United States. At the same time, it also set a new Asian record and became the tallest tree in Asia.

Zhao Xiang, director of the protection center of Shanshui Nature Reserve, introduced that in May 2023, with the guidance and support of the Nature Reserve Management Department of China National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Linzhi Forestry and Grass Bureau of Xizang Autonomous Region and bomi county Forestry and Grass Bureau, a joint biodiversity investigation team composed of Guo Qinghua of Peking University, Lv Zhi Research Group, Xizijiang Ecological Conservation Center, Beijing Digital Green Soil Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanshui Nature Reserve Center used UAV lidar to accurately map and confirm the growth area of cypress in Tibet.

Through the combination of UAV and backpack lidar, the investigation team obtained the fine three-dimensional point cloud data of the tree, measured its DBH of 293 cm, and photographed the giant tree through UAV photography.

In this survey, besides the tallest cypress in Tibet, a large number of giant trees over 85 meters were found, including 25 giant trees over 90 meters, which greatly improved the record of tree height in China and even in Asia, and it is the area with the highest tree height and distribution density found by accurate measurement in China and even in Asia.

Cedar in Tibet is mainly distributed in the southeast of China, and only a small amount is distributed in the Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve. The distribution area is very narrow and the population is sparse. It is listed as a national first-class protected plant.