By Teo Kermeliotis and Jenny Soffel, CNNNovember 7, 2013 -- Updated 1057 GMT (1857 HKT)(CNN) -- David Wiles can't remember the first time he ever climbed a tree, but he does recall the first time he fell from one."I was about nine years old at a friend's party," says South African-born Wiles, 25. "I was told, 'do not climb that tree,' and as a child you always know better," he smirks.That fall, however, was never enough to uproot Wiles' childhood fascination with hauling himself up tree trunks and clambering up branches. Nor did it prevent him from becoming a professional tree climber -- and embarking on a mission to reach the leafy summits of some of Africa's tallest specimens.Last January, Wiles, along with fellow tree climber Drew Bristow, launched an expedition of tree enthusiasts aiming to explore and officially document for the first time some of South Africa's greatest trees.A group of international tree climbers has embarked on a mission to explore some of Africa's most spectacular trees.Read: 'Chewbacca bat' and other bizarre species found in national park (http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/05/world/africa/chewbacca-bat-stinky-beetles/)Rubber: From trees to wheels Namibian forest frozen in time"I wanted to show Africa's beautiful trees to the world, bringing more awareness -- therefore protection -- to people who may not necessarily be interested in trees normally," says Wiles, co-founder of the "Explore: The Ancient Trees of Africa" project. "It's all about celebrating trees, educating people and preserving for generations to come."Launched by David Wiles (pictured), the "Explore: The Ancient Trees of Africa" project is aiming to help highlight the need to preserve South Africa's spectacular trees.Last January, the group climbed Africa's biggest baobab in South Africa's Limpopo province.Record-breakingOver 30 days, the team journeyed through the entire East coast and northern swathe of the country, covering more than 4,000 kilometers. Swinging like marionettes, the climbing troupe used tree-friendly ropes and motorized ascenders to scale some 20 magnificent trees, such as ancient baobabs, majestic yellowwoods and giant Saligna gum trees.Highlights of the expedition included ascending the world's biggest baobab -- a giant indigenous tree in the Limpopo province, boasting a 40-meter stem circumference at its peak (its size varies according to weather conditions, explains Wiles)."Just watching the sun going down from the top of that tree was amazing," remembers Wiles. "You are in the middle of nowhere and the only thing that you can hear around you is birds," he adds.The group also scaled climbed for the first time what was measured to be the world's tallest planted tree: an 81.5-meter eucalyptus in Limpopo."Just watching the sun going down from the top of that tree was amazing," remembers Wiles. "You are in the middle of nowhere and the only thing that you can hear around you is birds," he adds."It makes you feel so small and insignificant. It also humbles you as these trees have stood for hundreds of years, thousands in some cases. Your mind wonders what they have been silent witnesses to over the centuries."Read this: Saving the majestic baobab treeIt makes you feel so small and insignificant. It also humbles you.David Wiles,