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World's Tallest Tree
Wouldn't you have thought that news about the World's Tallest Tree would be totally old? I mean, wouldn't scientists, or tree huggers or tree measurers for that matter already be certain which tree is the tallest? How can this be new news? Well apparently it is. Apparently some guy climbed up to the top of a giant redwood in Redwood National Park and discovered that the tree was, in fact, taller than they (that is, scientists and tree measurers) thought. The tree is named Hyperion and stands 379.1 feet tall, one foot taller than previously thought. (Aside: what if the rain just washed away a foot of dirt at the base of the tree. Would that make it taller?)
The guy who did the measuring is named Steve Sillett, and he is a forestry professor at Humboldt State University, where he also smokes a lot of pot and comes up with grand ideas like "hey, let's go measure that tree! (just kidding...I made that up). Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool that a) they didn't already know for sure where the tallest tree was and 2) that it turns out to be in California as opposed to China or Siberia or some such place. (Another aside: if I was the Governator, I'd totally make this a photo opp)
Filed under: History, Learning, Festivals and Events, North America, United States, Camping
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrew M. Lin Oct 11th 2006 12:53AM
This is just amazing. The last time I visited Redwood National Park / Sequoia National Park, I was about 15 years old and swore that these were the tallest trees in the world. I guess I was right.
Nicole Oct 11th 2006 7:05AM
The naturalists who initially found Hyperion, said the chances of finding a taller living organism are slim because they have already searched about 95 percent of the prime habitat for big redwoods.
bob m. Oct 11th 2006 7:12AM
we have some tall trees here in australia but sadly they are under threat by woodchippers!! unlike the mighty redwoods, mountain ash are flowering hardwood trees. http://members.optusnet.com.au/mruhsam/
Jocelyn Oct 11th 2006 8:59PM
This is cool. Goes right along with the new marine species they are discovering across the world in Asia. Guess we haven't discovered or studied every nook and cranny of Earth yet.
Aside: you know the Governator will likely make this a photo op at some point.