13 July 2026

The water-transport system of tropical giants called dipterocarps has evolved to defy the effects of gravity and resist water stress.

By

Holly Smith

Towering over the canopy of Malaysian Borneo’s tropical rainforests are some of the world’s tallest trees, known as dipterocarps (pictured). These giants, which can grow to more than 70 metres tall, are crucial for carbon storage. However, extreme height is thought to strain the water-transport (hydraulic) system of trees, leaving them vulnerable to severe droughts.