Which tree species holds the record for highest altitude growth, at about 4,900 meters?

The tree species associated with the highest-altitude tree growth, at about 4,900 meters, is Polylepis tarapacana.

Polylepis tarapacana is an evergreen tree of the high Andes, found across parts of southern Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile, and nearby Argentina. It survives on the Altiplano, where intense sunlight, freezing nights, dry air, strong winds, and thin soils create exceptionally difficult conditions for tree growth.

The species is usually short and gnarled rather than towering. Its shaggy, peeling bark forms multiple protective layers, helping insulate the trunk against cold and ultraviolet exposure. The name Polylepis comes from Greek words meaning “many scales,” a reference to this distinctive bark.

The altitude figure is sometimes reported as approximately 4,800, 4,900, or even above 5,000 meters, depending on the site, measurement, and whether isolated trees, shrubs, or treeline populations are counted. That variation does not change the standard quiz answer. A frequent mix-up is confusing the highest-altitude tree with the world’s tallest tree: height records belong to coastal redwoods, while Polylepis tarapacana is notable for where it grows.