Hyperion: Why is the World's Tallest Living Tree Remains Hidden?

Hyperion is the world's tallest living tree, standing at 379.1 feet, and is estimated to be more than 600 years old. It is a tree specimen of Sequoia sempervirens located in Redwood National Park in California. However, its exact location remains hidden for a long time. For those who know its whereabouts, the United States government has mandated it illegal to go near the giant tree.

The US National Park Service (NPS) closed public access to Hyperion. In 2022, local authorities issued a rule that anyone who gets too close with the world's tallest tree could face up a fine of $5,000 USD or end up facing jailtime of up to six months. The concealment of Hyperion aims to protect it from the public in general and ensure its conservation.

World's Tallest Tree

(Photo : Photo by Mike L on Unsplash)

Prior to its first discovery by Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor in August 2006, Hyperion has stood in northern California for hundreds of years. However, urbanization and the expansion of human settlements has placed the ancient tree under threat.

The world's tallest living tree has a diameter of 16 feet and 2.5 inches and an approximate aboveground dry mass of 230 US tons, in addition to having the world's deepest crown at 298 feet and 2.7 inches, according to the Guinness World Records.

Guinness estimates that Hyperion's age is between 600 and 800 years old. Despite the conservation efforts placed on the gargantuan tree, there are concerns surrounding the safety of the said coast redwood.

Also Read: Interesting Facts About the 5 Tallest and Oldest Trees in the World

Hyperion Visit is Off-Limits

According to the Smithsonian Magazine, "bushwhackers" trespassing towards Hyperion are causing significant damage to its surrounding forest, adding the new rules imposed in the area attempt to curb destructive tourism.

Based on a statement in August 2022, the NPS "begged" bloggers, tree enthusiasts, and even bushwhackers to remain on built trails designed to keep visitors away from Hyperion, as cited by Smithsonian. In addition, the U.S. government agency asked the public to respect the closed area's fragile ecosystem.

Sequoia Sempervirens

Also called the coastal redwood and the California redwood, S. sempervirens is native in the California's northern and central coast, a part of a region where heavy winter rain and summer fog is important to the tree species' survival, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The redwood tree family extends southward from two groves along the Chetco River, located in the southwest corner of Oregon. It then stretches to Salmon Creek Canyon in the Santa Lucia Mountains of the southern part of Monterey County, California, the USDA adds.

While the general location of the world's tallest tree is known, keeping Hyperion's location a secret remains vital until today even if its satellite map can be searched through the internet. Its secrecy is also sustained due to its fellow giant trees surrounding it.

Due to its vulnerability, Hyperion is likely to be off-limits under the security of officials at California's Redwood National Park.