Choose the Discovery of Hyperion, the Tallest Living Tree, as the Guinness World Records Top Records Of The Decade
How important of a find was the discovery of Hyperion, the tallest tree in the world? I think if you ask that question to ten different people, you will probably get ten different answers. Here in Redwood National and State Park, the discovery of Hyperion has been a double edge sword. On one side, the increase in public awareness of the Redwoods from this discovery has boosted tourism revenues and increased funding for scientific research. On the other side, there has been an onslaught of people trying to see, find, and climb this tree. Most of the seekers have the best intentions, however most are unaware of the fragile environment the tree exists in. These giants are extremely sensitive to impacts from human interaction due to their shallow root systems. The exact location of Hyperion has, for the most part, been kept a secret. With the increase of more precise GPS and Google satellite images available, it is probably possible to figure out where the tree is. But why? There is no need to trample off trail to find these trees there are plenty of big trees to look at from the trails of Redwood National and State Park.
The Guinness World Records website (www.guinnessworldrecords.com) is allowing those with an insatiable hunger for unbelievable feats and facts to vote online for their own personal favorite record from the decade. Once the votes are tallied, Guinness World Records will announce the public’s choices early next year.
“This is the first decade of the new millennium and one of the most exciting and interesting that Guinness World Records has been around to chronicle,” said Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief. “As we get ready to mark the next ten years ahead, we’d like to take a look at the past with all our fans and remember some of the best.”
TALLEST LIVING TREE: The tallest tree currently growing is Hyperion, which measured 115.54 m (379.1 ft) in September 2006. This coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) was discovered by Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor (both USA) in the Redwood National Park, California, USA on 25 August 2006.
For more records to choose from and to vote online please go to: http://2010.guinnessworldrecords.com/top100.asp.