Hyperion (tree)

For other uses, see Hyperion (disambiguation).

Hyperion
Hyperion is located in California
Hyperion
Hyperion
Approximate location in California
SpeciesCoast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)
Coordinates41°12.3′N 124°1.0′W / 41.2050°N 124.0167°W / 41.2050; -124.0167
(center of closed area)[1]
Height116.07 m (380.8 ft) (2019)[2]
Volume of trunk530 m3 (18,600 cu ft)[3]

Hyperion is a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in California that is the world's tallest known living tree, measured at 116.07 metres (380.8 ft) tall in 2019.[2][4]

Hyperion was discovered on August 25, 2006, by naturalists Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor.[5] The tree height of 115.55 m (379.1 ft) was verified by Stephen Sillett in 2006 using both a laser range finder and a fiberglass tape to measure the tree from the base to the crown.[6][7] The tree has grown since then to reach 116.07 metres (380.8 ft) recorded in 2019. Hyperion was found in a remote area of Redwood National Park, inside of the originally designated park boundaries of 1968.[8] The park also houses the second-, fourth- and fifth-tallest known trees, coast redwoods named Helios, Icarus, and Daedalus, which respectively measured 377, 371 and 363 feet in 2022.[9][10]

The tree was named after the titan Hyperion from Greek mythology.[9][8]

Hyperion is estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old[2][10][11] and contain 530 m3 (18,600 cu ft) of wood.[3]

Coast redwoods in Redwood National Park

The exact location of Hyperion is nominally secret but is available via internet search.[12] However, in July 2022, the Redwood Park superintendent closed the entire area around the tree, citing "devastation of the habitat surrounding Hyperion" caused by visitors. Its base was trampled by the overuse and as a result ferns no longer grow around the tree.[1] Anyone who gets too close could face up to six months in jail and a $5,000 maximum fine.[1][13][14]

  1. ^ a b c "Should I Hike to Hyperion?". Redwood National Park. National Park Service. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Ghose, Tia (May 23, 2022). "What is the world's tallest tree?". LiveScience.
  3. ^ a b Preston, R (2007). The Wild Trees: A Story Of Passion And Daring. Allen Lane Publishers. p. 284. ISBN 978-0-8129-7559-8.
  4. ^ Fish, Tom (October 18, 2021). "The 25 tallest trees in the world". Newsweek. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  5. ^ Preston, R (October 9, 2006). "Tall for its age – Climbing a record breaking redwood". The New Yorker. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  6. ^ Krulwich, Robert (April 8, 2011). "The World's Tallest Tree Is Hiding Somewhere In California". NPR. Retrieved October 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "HSU Prof Confirms World's Tallest Tree | Humboldt NOW | Cal Poly Humboldt". now.humboldt.edu. October 1, 2006. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Hyperion Tree - Famous Redwoods". famousredwoods.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Kim, Juliana (August 1, 2022). "People who want to visit the world's tallest living tree now risk a $5,000 fine". NPR.
  10. ^ a b Co, Rich (June 2, 2023). "Meet Hyperion, the Tallest Tree in the World, and Other Leafy Giants That Came Close". Nature World News.
  11. ^ Martin, G (September 29, 2006). "World's tallest tree, a redwood, confirmed". SFGate. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  12. ^ Harrell, Ashley (January 5, 2021). "Why you should skip seeing Hyperion, the tallest tree in the world". SfGate.
  13. ^ Alexis Benveniste (August 1, 2022). "Want to see the world's tallest tree? You could get fined $5,000". Washington Post. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  14. ^ Tumin, Remy (August 2, 2022). "Thinking of Visiting the World's Tallest Tree? Think Again". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 14, 2023.