Hyperion (tree)

 tree, interesting place

Hyperion is the name of a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in Northern California that was measured at 115.61 metres (379.3 ft), which ranks it as the world's tallest known living tree. Despite its great height, Hyperion is not the largest known coast redwood; that distinction belongs to the Lost Monarch tree.

Hyperion was discovered August 25, 2006 by naturalists Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor. The tree was verified as standing 115.55 metres (379.1 ft) tall by Stephen Sillett. The tree was found in a remote area of Redwood National and State Parks purchased in 1978. The exact location of the tree has not been revealed to the public for fear that human traffic would upset the ecosystem the tree inhabits. The tree is estimated to contain 18,600 cubic feet (530 m3) of wood, and to be roughly 700–800 years old.

Researchers stated that woodpecker damage at the top prevented the tree from reaching 380 feet (115.8 m).

In February 2012, Hyperion was featured in the BBC Radio 4 documentary James and the Giant Redwoods by James Aldred.