Hyperion (tallest tree)

Name: Hyperion (tallest tree)
Address: US

하이퍼리온 (세계에서 가장 높은 나무)

Deep in the forest of Redwood National Park in California stands Hyperion, the tallest known living tree on Earth. Two naturalists found this coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in 2006; it is about 116 m tall, as high as a 40-storey building. Visitors trampled the forest around it, so its exact location is kept secret, and since 2022 nobody is allowed into the area.

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At a glance

Country: United States
Height: 116.2 m

Quick answers

Where is Hyperion (tallest tree)?

Hyperion (tallest tree) is in United States.

How tall is Hyperion (tallest tree)?

Hyperion (tallest tree) is about 116.2 m tall.

Hyperion is a coast redwood in Redwood National Park, California, and it is the tallest known living tree on Earth. When it was first measured in 2006 it stood 115.55 metres tall. It has kept growing since then, and recent measurements are above 116 metres.

It is thought to be 600 to 800 years old, which means it sprouted long before European settlers arrived in the area. It was named after the Titan Hyperion in Greek mythology. Its exact location is not published by the park, because visitors once trampled the ground around it. Redwoods like this one are among the tallest living things on Earth.

Finding the giant

Naturalists Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor discovered Hyperion on 25 August 2006 in a remote area of Redwood National Park. Forest scientist Stephen Sillett confirmed its height with a laser range finder and a measuring tape. The park also holds the second, fourth and fifth tallest known trees, named Helios, Icarus and Daedalus. The trunk holds about 530 cubic metres of wood.

Why you cannot visit

After the tree became famous, so many people went looking for it that they trampled the ground and the ferns around its base stopped growing. In July 2022 the park closed the whole area to protect the habitat. People who enter the closed area can face a fine of up to 5,000 dollars and up to six months in jail. Giant trees like Hyperion are best admired from afar.

Fun facts

This coast redwood is thought to be 600 to 800 years old, and it is named after Hyperion, a Titan from Greek myths.
Hyperion was first measured at 115.55 metres in 2006 and is still growing.
Three other record-sized trees in the same park are named Helios, Icarus and Daedalus.
Hyperion's trunk is thought to contain about 530 cubic metres of wood.