Hyperion, certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest living tree, is officially ‘closed’ to tourists.
California’s Redwood National Park released a statement last week that anyone caught standing near a Hyperion tree could face up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. .
Hyperion is located deep in the park and there are no trails around. However, it still faces serious decline as many thrill-seekers have been visiting the tree since 2006, after Hyperion was found by a pair of naturalists.
Close-up of Hyperion tree
Hyperion belongs to the line of coastal redwood trees (sequoia sempervirens) 115.92 meters high. Its name is derived from Greek mythology – Hyperion was one of the Titans, the father of the sun god Helios and the moon goddess Selene.
“Hyperion is off the beaten track through dense vegetation and people need to go through a lot of bush to reach the trees. Despite the difficult journey, Hyperion has grown in popularity due to bloggers, travel writers and tree websites recommending it, leading to the destruction of the habitat around Hyperion. As a visitor, you must decide whether you will be a part of preserving this unique landscape, or ruining it?” Redwood National Park wrote.
Compare the height of the Hyperion tree with famous buildings
Leonel Arguello, the park’s Director of Natural Resources, told the San Francisco Gate news site that the area has limited GPS and cell phone service, meaning it can be difficult to rescue those who are lost or injured in the water. area.
“There are lots of trash cans around the trees and people are creating paths to use the toilets. They leave behind used toilet paper and human waste as well. That’s not a good thing,” Arguello said.
Another corner of Redwood National Park
Humans aren’t the only danger to Hyperion. California’s national parks have been facing wildfire warnings for the past few years. In 2021, officials at Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon took extreme measures to protect some of the world’s largest trees from fire.
For example, General Sherman (the world’s largest tree by density) has been encased in an “aluminum-based fireproof material” that resembles tinfoil.
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