Redwoods ( Sequoia sempervirens ) are the tallest trees in the world. These trees can easily reach a height of ninety meters or even more. Among all the redwoods, there is a tree called Hyperion that stands out for its great height. It was discovered in 2006 and measures 115.61 meters. However, in the past other trees exceeded these dimensions.
There are also other giant sequoias (Helios, Icarus, and Daedalus) slightly smaller than Hyperion. Helios is 114 meters tall, while Icarus is 113 meters tall. Daedalus is the smallest at 110 meters high. The exact location of these giant trees is kept secret to prevent vandalism as well as indiscriminate felling.
The California redwood is a massive evergreen tree with a robust trunk and thick, fibrous bark that darkens with age. Its leaves are flattened and spiral-shaped. In addition, they measure between 15 and 25 millimeters in length and have a green or yellowish-green color.
This tree is endemic to North America, specifically the north and central coast of California. However, its range ranges from the Pacific coast of the United States to southwestern Oregon. Also, although it is native to North America, it can also be found in New Zealand, Great Britain, Italy, and Portugal.
On the other hand, this tree also stands out for its longevity. A redwood can live for more than 1800 years. In fact, the oldest known California redwood is around 2,200 years old.
Threats you face
The sequoia is currently listed as ‘endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. Its main threats are deforestation as well as the urbanization of forests, which leads to a reduction in its natural habitat and, therefore, a decrease in its population.
However, actions are being carried out to preserve these trees, creating protected areas where logging is not allowed.
