Newly described species Tessmannia princeps, a giant tree discovered in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania in Eastern Africa, gets a hug. The new tree towers up to 130 feet (40 meters) above the rainforest canopy and is found in only two small, isolated areas. The trees’ main trunks are about 9 feet (2.7 m) in diameter, with another 10 feet (3 m) of buttresses. Image via Andrea Bianchi/ Phytotaxa.

A team of African and European botanists said on March 20, 2025, that they’ve identified a new species of tree in the East African rainforests of Tanzania. And it is both massive and ancient. The new tree – Tessmannia princeps – is a towering giant that lifts its limbs more than 130 feet (40 meters) above the surrounding jungle canopy. Its enormous trunk spreads almost 20 feet (9 m) in diameter. Some of the 100 or so individual trees discovered so far are ancient and have possibly lived 3,000 years or more.

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