Hyperion, the tallest living tree, is a coast redwood
A single redwood in northern California out-tops the Statue of Liberty by more than 30 metres.
The tallest known living tree on Earth is Hyperion, a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) hidden in Redwood National Park in northern California. When last measured for the record, it stood 116.07 metres (380 ft 9.7 in) tall — higher than the Statue of Liberty and nudging the practical ceiling for how far a tree can pump water against gravity.
Hyperion was found in 2006 by naturalists Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor, deep in old-growth forest. Coast redwoods thrive in the fog belt of the Pacific coast, where summer mist lets them draw moisture straight through their needles rather than relying only on roots far below.
The tree is thought to be 600 to 800 years old. Its exact location is kept secret, and the National Park Service has closed the surrounding area to visitors after foot traffic damaged the fragile habitat at its base.
Even a giant this tall can be killed by people trampling the soil around its roots.
Sources & references
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