Hyperion (tree)

Hyperion is a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in California that is the world's tallest known living tree, measuring 115.92 m (380.3 ft).[4]

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
(center of closed area)[1]
Height116.07 m (380.8 ft) (2019)[2]
Volume of trunk530 m3 (18,600 cu ft)[3]

Hyperion was discovered on August 25, 2006, by naturalists Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor.[5] The tree was verified as standing 115.55 m (379.1 ft) tall by Stephen Sillett. It was found in a remote area of Redwood National Park that was part of the original 1968 park boundaries. The park also houses the second, fourth and fifth tallest known trees, coast redwoods named Helios, Icarus, and Daedalus, currently 377, 371 and 363 feet, respectively.[6][7][8] Hyperion was measured as 116.07 metres (380.8 ft) tall in 2019.[2]

Hyperion is estimated to be 600 to 800 years old[2][8][9] and contain 530 m3 (18,600 cu ft) of wood.[3]

The exact location of Hyperion is nominally secret but is available via internet search.[10] 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, and now anyone who gets too close could face up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.[1][11][12]

Researchers have said that woodpecker activity at the top may have prevented the tree from growing taller.[9]

In February 2012, Hyperion was featured in the BBC Radio 4 documentary, James and the Giant Redwoods, by James Aldred.[13]

See also

References
  1. "Should I Hike to Hyperion?". Redwood National Park. National Park Service. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  2. Ghose, Tia (May 23, 2022). "What is the world's tallest tree?". LiveScience.
  3. 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. "The Tallest tree in the World – Facts about Hyperion - FactPros". FactPros. August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  7. Kim, Juliana (August 1, 2022). "People who want to visit the world's tallest living tree now risk a $5,000 fine". NPR.
  8. Co, Rich (June 2, 2023). "Meet Hyperion, the Tallest Tree in the World, and Other Leafy Giants That Came Close". Nature World News.
  9. Martin, G (September 29, 2006). "World's tallest tree, a redwood, confirmed". SFGate. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  10. Harrell, Ashley (January 5, 2021). "Why you should skip seeing Hyperion, the tallest tree in the world". SfGate.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. "James and the Giant Redwoods – Part One". BBC Radio 4. BBC. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
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