Hyperion is a
coast redwood
''Sequoia sempervirens'' ()''Sunset Western Garden Book,'' 1995:606–607 is the sole living species of the genus '' Sequoia'' in the cypress family Cupressaceae (formerly treated in Taxodiaceae). Common names include coast redwood, coastal ...
(''Sequoia sempervirens'') in
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
that is considered the world's tallest known living tree, measuring 115.92 m (380.3 ft).
Hyperion was discovered on August 25, 2006, by
naturalists Chris Atkins and
Michael Taylor.
The tree was verified as standing tall by
Stephen Sillett
Stephen C. Sillett (born March 19, 1968) is an American botanist specializing in old growth forest canopies. As the first scientist to enter the redwood forest canopy, he pioneered new methods for climbing, exploring, and studying tall trees. Sil ...
. It was found in a remote area of
Redwood National Park purchased in 1978.
It is estimated to contain of wood. The park also houses the second and third known tallest trees, named Helios and Icarus. Hyperion is estimated to be 700 to 800 years old.
The exact location of the Hyperion tree is nominally secret but is available via internet search. In July 2022, the Redwood Park superintendent closed the entire area around the tree, citing "devastation of the habitat surrounding Hyperion" caused by visitors.
Researchers have said that
woodpecker
Woodpeckers are part of the bird family Picidae, which also includes the piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar, and the extreme polar regions. ...
activity at the top may have prevented the tree from growing taller.
See also
*
List of superlative trees
The world's superlative trees can be ranked by any factor. Records have been kept for trees with superlative height, trunk diameter or girth, canopy coverage, airspace volume, wood volume, estimated mass, and age.
Tallest
The heights of th ...
*
List of individual trees
The following is a list of notable trees. Trees listed here are regarded as important or specific by their historical, national, locational, natural or mythological context. The list includes actual trees located throughout the world, as well as ...
*
List of tallest trees
This is a list of the tallest known species of trees, as reflected by measurements of the tallest reliably-measured individual specimen. Although giant trees grow in both tropical and temperate regions, they are very restricted geographically and ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
National Geographic Video: "World's Tallest Tree Towers Over California"M.D. Vaden.com: Information about the Hyperion Coast Redwood TreeBBC Radio documentaryfeaturing Hyperion
Individual coast redwood trees
Individual trees in California
Redwood National and State Parks