What is the World’s Tallest Tree?

The tallest trees in the world are redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). These trees tower to the heights of 300 feet. They are located mostly in California. In 2006, a redwood was discovered that surpasses the height of all the other trees. This tree was called Hyperion and is 379.7 feet tall. Not too long after the tree was measured for it’s height, a writer for the New Yorker climbed the tree to see what it was like.

There are many other trees similar to Hyperion such as Helios, Icarus and Daedalus. All of those trees have similar heights to those of Hyperion. Most of these trees live to about 500-700 years old. Although, there have been some trees documented to be over 2,000 years old.

This relates to engineering because each tree has developed in its own way. Many engineers and residents in California say the great height is due to the favorable climatic conditions and heavy annual rainfall. All of this belongs to engineering because the wood has developed and grown by itself. Other wood is also used to build houses and other structures. All of those fall under engineering as well as the redwood trees.