What is the tallest species of tree in the world?

The tallest species of tree in the world is the coast redwood, Sequoia sempervirens. It grows naturally along a narrow, foggy strip of the Pacific coast in northern California and southwestern Oregon.

Coast redwoods commonly reach 60 to 100 metres, while exceptional trees can exceed 110 metres. The record-holder is Hyperion, a coast redwood in Redwood National Park measured at about 115.85 metres. Its exact location is kept quiet to protect the surrounding habitat from heavy visitation.

The species can live for 1,200 to 2,200 years or more. Thick, fibrous bark helps mature trees resist fire, and coastal fog supplies moisture during California’s dry summers. The trees’ enormous height is supported by deep valleys, reliable water, and fog drip, which help move water to the canopy.

A frequent mistake is confusing coast redwoods with giant sequoias. Giant sequoias are generally shorter but much more massive by trunk volume. Douglas firs and Sitka spruces can also become extremely tall, but they do not surpass Sequoia sempervirens as a species.