How do some trees grow so tall? This Veritasium video I think got it wrong.

Derek, who is a physics guy on YT poses the question of how do some trees have the ability to grow so tall? After all, we are only able to pull a suction on a tube to a maximum height of approximately 34 feet. Over 34 feet the water in the tube vaporizes due to the vacuum. It boils.

In his video Derik explains that in liquids you can go lower than vacuum pressures. This is just not correct.

Where is Derek's mistake? He is not taking into account the ground pressure on the tree's root system. In fresh water every 2.31 feet you go under the water 1 pound per square inch is place on you. It's why your ears pop at the deep end of the pool.

Now through transpiration the leaves on trees are able to lift water 34 feet. They can grow taller because of their root system. You can get a very good estimate of how deep a trees root system is simply by looking at it's height. The formula for that is tree height minus approximately 34 feet. It's probably minus more than 34 feet because the density of soil/water combination is higher than just water alone and can provide more of a squeeze on the root system to push up the water.

But this does not answer the question about California Redwoods. California Redwoods grow approximately 300 feet tall. Yes they do have deep roots systems but not deep enough to feed a tree 300 feet tall. Red Wood trees get most of their water from the top down. They rely on the very reliable morning fog that rolls in off the Pacific every morning and they absorb the water through their leaf system for life.

Anyway, had to get that off my chest...