We do know why they don’t get taller - past a certain height the trees can no longer draw water and nutrients up to the top. Foggy conditions can help the physics/chemistry limits, up to a point.
> The answers to the “Why so tall?” and “Why not taller?” questions seem to involve water, as is the case for so much about trees.
> Ultimately, it’s most likely a matter of hydraulics: A tree’s height appears to be limited by the enormous effort needed to lift water through tiny tubes, or xylem — the transport tissue that constitutes most of its mass.
From what I've read, moist air from the sea is an important factor in these trees' water balance. And it's getting more rare / drier on average.
It's a good bet that these trees on average will grow shorter in response to moisture / heat stress (mentioned in article). Perhaps also in response to stronger winds (not mentioned). Tough times ahead for the already-tall ones out there, though.
Btw: trees don't need to be big to be awe-inspiring. Once had a Metasequoia growing in a pot, sitting on my desk. Just ~50 cm. high, a close look revealed 5 or 6 spiders had taken up residence in it. Some ants walking up & down its branches. Various species of moss growing at its base. And an assortment of creatures wandering the soil underneath (mostly harmless or beneficial). A whole ecosystem of its own.
Nature is awesome, period.
That's basically the upper limit to get water to the leaves up top