[From the editor: Our apologies for the errors in the first version of this post published. We inadvertently published Gail’s draft, before she checked/edited it for accuracy. It’s been corrected.]
I love trees and the bigger, the better, in my opinion. Did you know that the world’s tallest tree is in the United States? It’s true. Read on to discover where this tree is located and why visitors are no longer welcome.
Champion trees
I was surprised to learn that the U.S. boasts several Champion Trees. The non-profit organization American Forests™ has been researching and recording information about United States trees since its inception in 1875. The National Champion Tree Program began in 1940 and continues today with its dedication to finding and celebrating the tallest trees in our country.
More than shade
It’s amazing that the study of trees was important to folks as early as 1875. Perhaps people realized that there’s nothing better than sitting under the shade of a leafy tree or listening to a breeze as it whispers its way through a conifer’s needled branches.
As RVers, we appreciate so much more than a tree’s shade. We acknowledge that trees are a vital natural resource. Trees provide food, shelter, and timber, of course. Trees also help purify the water we drink and the air we breathe. In addition, trees are simply beautiful to look at! Whether budding in the spring, shading us from the harsh summer sun, or reluctantly releasing colorful leaves in the fall, trees are amazingly beautiful!
Biggest
The tallest tree in the United States (and in the world) is named “Hyperion”. The name comes from Greek mythology meaning “the high one.” This magnificent tree is located deep within Redwood National Park in California.
When standing on the ground below Hyperion, it is impossible to see the top. It’s that high! Reaching an amazing 380 feet into the sky, Hyperion certainly lives up to its name.
Amazing girth
Hyperion’s height is certainly award-worthy, but its girth also defies imagination. At over 36 feet around at its base, this gigantic, coastal redwood is in a league of its own!
Scientists believe Hyperion is between 600 and 800 years old and would perhaps continue stretching heavenward except that woodpeckers have damaged the top portions of the tree. Due to this damage, scientists suggest Hyperion will unlikely grow taller in the years to come.
Height references
Just how tall is Hyperion, compared to other known trees and/or structures?
- This gigantic tree dwarfs England’s Big Ben clock tower.
- General Sherman (a giant sequoia) was previously named the champion of height at 275 feet. Hyperion exceeds the General Sherman tree by more than 100 feet.
- A 30-floor skyscraper measures about 320 feet. That’s 60 feet shorter than Hyperion.
Who discovered Hyperion?
Naturalists Michael Taylor and Chris Atkins first discovered Hyperion. It was 2006, and both men were surprised to find the giant tree towering above others surrounding it.
Where is Hyperion?
Hyperion is located deep within Redwoods National and State Park in northern California. There are no marked trails. To reach this giant demands extensive bushwhacking through very heavy vegetation. Still, some folks have been able to find Hyperion’s location coordinates online. The result? Forest rangers report extensive damage to the area at the base of the tree and the surrounding area’s undergrowth.
Rule and penalties
In 2022, the National Park Service closed all access to Hyperion. The penalty for getting too close to this wonderful tree? Up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine. While some visitors rail against this ruling, the rangers explain that the goal is to preserve the tree along with its surroundings while protecting park visitors.
Before blocking access, people were blazing their own trails and actually attempting to climb the tree! Garbage was piling up, as well. In addition, it was nearly impossible for emergency medical personnel to access the area. Now, people are not allowed to be closer than one mile from the giant.
But wait, there’s more
Also in 2022, a “Grove of Titans” trail was opened for park visitors. The elevated walkway trail protects the fragile ecosystem on the forest floor. Park rangers hope visitors will follow this new trail to view other massive redwoods and leave Hyperion to age gracefully in peace.
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People never fail to disappoint me, throwing their garbage on the ground, the inane desire to carve their initials in trees damaging them, and too much more to list.
These are the same kind of people who walk up to a wild animal to get a selfie next to it. These people were probably born and raised in the city where their only connection to anything wild was a pigeon in Central Park.
Or country people who grew up tossing litter out of their window to keep their shiny pickup truck nice and clean, and painting graffiti on the local rocks.
LOL.
Country people don’t have shiny nice clean pickup trucks. Those are city people thinking they are cowboys.
Give those city people some credit. They have to dodge rats on the streets of New York.
At ”16 feet, 21½ inches around”… it has to be larger than than17 feet, 9½ inches!
I believe this is actually its diameter (DBH), not it’s circumference (which is about 15.8m/52 feet). So, “around” should, I think, be “diameter”.
Isnt the General Sherman a Giant Sequoia?
Also the General Grant?
Knew the Tallest tree was a Redwood but only in height.
They are 2 different species .
You’re absolutely correct. General Sherman is a Giant Sequoia and is located not near the coast as the Hyperion is but in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of central California. The author needs to do a little research.
The errors in this article show a total lack of understanding of the topic. As stated below by David N and Lawrence Talbot, this Hyperion is a coastal redwood and General Sherman is a giant redwood, two totally different types of redwoods, and the 16+ foot dimension is diameter, not girth. Also, the General Sherman was never thought to be the tallest tree That title has always been assigned to a coastal redwood in excess of 350 feet tall. But General Sherman is the largest redwood, measured by amount of wood it contains, not height.
Hyperion is within the 1968 boundaries of Redwood National Park. It was not in danger of being cut down after the Park Service protected it in 1968.
Painful to read this story with all the mistakes in it. Hope it was written by AI (Artificial Idiocy) and not a human.
Nope, Clint, it was me a human. Perhaps I didn’t make it clear. I was comparing all species of trees from several locations for their height. Sorry for the confusion. Safe travels to you!
Nice article on Hyperion. I’m sad they can’t build a walkway up closer for visitors to view the tree and take photos. However I am sooo glad they have built an alternate walkway through the forest. I’m sure it’s a magical moment to witness this giant phenomenon in person!
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Don’t worry, I’ll never try to climb, or even visit it. Thank you for letting me know that it exists! May you have safe, sunny travels! 🙂
We must keep anyone from seeing this tree so we can preserve it for future generations, who won’t be able to see it so we can preserve it.
No, we should preserve this tree for its own sake, not future humans
Wouldn’t “16 feet, 21½ inches around” be the same as 17 feet, 9½ inches?
I’ll say it again, Humans – not a fan.
Great article!!!
Thank you, Gail! Very sad that folks (dolts?) trashed the area and were reckless toward the tree. 🙁 Some people just should not be let out of the house. 🙁 Safe and sunny travels! 🙂