The Hyperion, located in Redwood Park in northern California, is the world’s tallest living tree. The tree stands at a height of 380.3 feet and is approximately 700-800 years old.
To put that in perspective, the tree is nearly 70 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty and 63 feet higher than Big Ben. Even a pine cone from the tree is triple the size.
Forestry researchers Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor discovered the redwood tree (Sequoia sempervirens) in 2006 — astonishing to think it took that long given the tree’s gigantic stature. However, the exact location is still a well-guarded secret.
The foliage is characteristic of that found in arid environments due to the plumbing challenges of drawing water up the tree.
The Paradox tree located in Redwood Humbolts Park is due to pass the Hyperion tree in height by the year 2031.
Interesting side note: the world’s largest complete fossilized tree (237 feet long) lies in Thailand.
Images above via the Famous Redwoods website, which also contains a must-see virtual tour of the tree.
