Hyperion (tree)
| Hyperion | |
|---|---|
  Hyperion Approximate location in California | |
| Species | Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) |
| Coordinates | 41°12.3′N 124°1.0′W / 41.2050°N 124.0167°W (center of closed area)[1] |
| Height | 115.92 m (380.3 ft) (in 2006?) 116.07 metres (380.8 ft) (2019) |
| Volume of trunk | 530 m3 (18,600 cu ft) (in 2006?) |
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).[2]
Hyperion was discovered on August 25, 2006, by naturalists Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor.[3] 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.[4][5][6][7]
The exact location of Hyperion is nominally secret but is available via internet search.[8] 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][9][10]
Researchers have said that woodpecker activity at the top may have prevented the tree from growing taller.[11]
Hyperion was measured as 116.07 metres (380.8 ft) tall in 2019.[12] When found in 2006 Helios was 114.7 metres (376 ft) tall and Icarus was 113.1 metres (371 ft) tall.[12]
In popular culture
In February 2012, Hyperion was featured in the BBC Radio 4 documentary, James and the Giant Redwoods, by James Aldred.[13]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Should I Hike to Hyperion?". Redwood National Park. National Park Service. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ^ Fish, Tom (2021-10-18). "The 25 tallest trees in the world". Newsweek. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
- ^ Preston, R (2006-10-09). "Tall for its age – Climbing a record breaking redwood". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
- ^ "The Tallest tree in the World – Facts about Hyperion - FactPros". FactPros. 2018-08-06. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
- ^ https://www.npr.org/2022/08/01/1114846960/hyperion-tree-off-limits-fine
- ^ "Stratosphere Giant Redwood in Rockefeller Forest. Sequoia sempervirens". www.mdvaden.com. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ https://www.natureworldnews.com/amp/articles/56778/20230602/meet-hyperion-tallest-tree-world-leafy-giants-came-close.htm
- ^ Harrell, Ashley (2021-01-05). "Why you should skip seeing Hyperion, the tallest tree in the world". SfGate.
- ^ Alexis Benveniste (1 August 2022). "Want to see the world's tallest tree? You could get fined $5,000". Washington Post. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
- ^ Tumin, Remy (2022-08-02). "Thinking of Visiting the World's Tallest Tree? Think Again". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ Martin, G (2006-09-29). "World's tallest tree, a redwood, confirmed". SFGate. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
- ^ a b Ghose, Tia (May 23, 2022). "What is the world's tallest tree?". LiveScience.
- ^ "James and the Giant Redwoods – Part One". BBC Radio 4. BBC. Retrieved 25 September 2012.