TAWAU, MALAYSIA: Evertius Andrew never gets tired of showing people the world's tallest tropical tree at the Tawau Hills National Park here.

To the research assistant, the 88.32m Suraya Kuning Siput or Shorea Faguetiana Heim is a centrepiece that deserves all the attention.

But that is not the only tree measured and recorded among the tallest by scientists from 2005 to 2007.

There are seven other trees which stand above 80m or about half the height of the Petronas Twin Towers Skybridge at 170m and are listed among the top 10 of the tallest tropical trees in the world.

Andrew, 26, who also guides visitors, said the trees were gradually attracting more attention since word spread about them in scientific journals or promotional materials.

"I like that feeling people get when they touch or get close to the tree and have their pictures taken or just watch in awe its height," Andrew said, adding that the tallest tree was about 900m from the park office.

"Next, I show them the second tallest tree which is about 50m away and it is only shorter by 18cm. I get a slight rush of pride and am happy to share with people this unique place," he said.

The 28,000ha Tawau Hills National Park, surrounded by a sea of oil palm and cocoa plantations, about 20km from here, was established in 1979.

The park used to be a popular riverside picnic spot among locals before the tall trees became an attraction.

"The river here (Sungai Tawau) remains a popular picnic site but we also have an orchid park and a small aviary.

"This place is a sample of what the tropical forest is like and being located barely 20 minutes from town, I think it's hard for visitors to miss this even during a short visit," said Andrew.

The tallest tree can be viewed after an uphill trek along a footpath after about 20 minutes and a few others are also within reach in minutes.

Along the trail, guides also point out certain unique plants, insects or other wildlife in the park which boasts a 17km jungle trail and three mountain peaks.