8 things you probably thought were taller than a tree (and aren't)
Think you know tall? Meet Hyperion, the world’s tallest living tree at 380 feet. Here are eight things you probably thought were taller than a tree.
At a staggering 380 feet tall, the coast redwood known as Hyperion isn't just any tree—it’s the tallest living tree on Earth. Nestled deep within a remote area of California’s Redwood National Park (location undisclosed to protect it), Hyperion has quietly towered over us all since its discovery in 2006.
But most people still underestimate just how colossal this giant is.
To put things in perspective, we’ve compiled a list of eight things that you probably assumed were taller—but aren’t. Get ready to be humbled by a tree.
8 things shorter than the world's tallest tree
1. Every statue in the world (except two)
At 380 feet, Hyperion is taller than every statue on Earth—with just two exceptions: India’s Statue of Unity (597 ft) and China’s Spring Temple Buddha (420 ft). That means Hyperion towers over icons like the Statue of Liberty (305 ft), Christ the Redeemer (98 ft), and The Motherland Calls (279 ft).
2. The Brooklyn Bridge
Spanning the East River with style, the Brooklyn Bridge rises to just 278 feet at its highest point. That’s over 100 feet shorter than Hyperion. If the tree sprouted next to it, the bridge would look like a handrail.
3. A Boeing 747
The iconic Boeing 747 measures about 231 feet long from nose to tail. You’d need nearly 1.7 jumbo jets stacked on end to match Hyperion’s height.
4. Niagara Falls
On the American side, Niagara Falls plunges 188 feet—which means Hyperion is literally twice as tall as one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world.
5. The Titanic
From keel to funnel top, the RMS Titanic stood 175 feet tall. Hyperion could have looked down at the Titanic from twice its height—and still had room to grow.
6. General Sherman Tree
The famed General Sherman—the largest tree by volume—is about 275 feet tall, giving it legendary status. But in a straight height contest, Hyperion wins by over 100 feet.
7. Three (maybe four) blue whales
The largest animal ever, the blue whale can reach 98 feet in length. You could lay three of them nose to tail and still fall short of Hyperion’s crown. Add a fourth and you’re finally in the ballpark.
8. 21 gigantic giraffes
With an average height of 18 feet, a group of 21 giraffes standing on each other's shoulders (don’t try this at home) would just about match Hyperion’s height.
What have we learned?: Nature is the real skyscraper
Hyperion might not glow with neon lights or charge admission, but its silent reign as the tallest tree on Earth is one of nature’s great power moves. So next time you see a tall building, ask yourself: “Is it taller than a tree?”
Spoiler: Probably not.
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Jennifer Olney
Jennifer Olney
