The world’s tallest tree, a Coast Redwood named Hyperion, is 115.92 m tall — taller than the Statue of Liberty.
How to Play: Guess if the tree species on the right grows TALLER or SHORTER than the one on the left.
Name A
Name B
Top 10 Tallest Tree Species (Maximum Recorded)
Tree species are ranked by the tallest specimen ever measured. Most species cluster around 30–50 m mature height. A handful — Coast Redwood, Coast Douglas-fir, Mountain Ash — exceed 100 m, but their record-holders grow only in narrow climate niches.
| # | Name | Maximum Height (m) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coast Redwood | 115.92 | meters |
| 2 | Yellow Meranti | 100.80 | meters |
| 3 | Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus) | 100.50 | meters |
| 4 | Coast Douglas-fir | 100.30 | meters |
| 5 | Sitka Spruce | 96.70 | meters |
| 6 | Giant Sequoia | 95.80 | meters |
| 7 | Noble Fir | 89.50 | meters |
| 8 | Manna Gum | 89 | meters |
| 9 | Western Hemlock | 83.80 | meters |
| 10 | Western Red Cedar | 83.40 | meters |
How Tall Trees Are Measured
Tree heights are measured by professional dendrochronologists using laser rangefinders, climbing tape, or LIDAR. The standard is total height from ground to highest live foliage tip. The Coast Redwood Hyperion in Northern California holds the world record at 115.92 m, measured in 2006.
There is a physical ceiling on tree height around 130 m. Above that, water cannot be transported from roots to leaves through standard plant vascular pathways — the gravity-driven negative pressure inside the xylem column would cause cavitation and stop water flow. Coast Redwoods near the limit have leaves significantly smaller and tougher at their tops than at their bases.
Climate matters more than nutrient supply. The world’s tallest trees are all in temperate rainforests with cool summers, mild winters, and consistent fog. Hyperion grows in Redwood National Park, where ocean fog supplies water during California’s dry summers. Tropical rainforests, despite high biomass, do not produce the tallest trees because heat and storm frequency favor different growth strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tallest tree in the world?
Hyperion, a Coast Redwood in Northern California, at 115.92 m as of 2006. Its exact location is kept secret to protect it from foot traffic.
How tall can trees grow in theory?
About 130 m. Above that, water cannot be transported up the trunk through normal vascular pathways. No species has been recorded breaking 120 m.
What's the tallest hardwood tree?
Mountain Ash (a eucalyptus species in Tasmania, Australia) at over 100 m. It is the tallest flowering plant in the world.
How long do these trees live?
Coast Redwoods live 1,200–2,200 years. Giant Sequoias live 3,000+ years. Bristlecone Pines (smaller but ancient) live 4,800+ years.
Note: Heights are maximum recorded in meters from dendrology databases. Average trees of these species are typically 30-60% shorter.
More Wise Games to Try