Do you love to get lost in the forest - especially among the tallest trees in the world? Does the feeling of wandering among the trees, the smallness of being surrounded by giants whose canopy shelters you and locks in the earthy scent of leaves and bark evoke a sense of contentedness within you? For thousands of years, humankind has seen a certain divinity in trees, in some cases, literally worshiping them.

Trees are a source of life for us, and our fascination with them is no mysterious phenomenon. Of course, the fact that trees can grow up to 10, 20, or even 30 stories high probably helps. The title for the largest (not tallest tree) goes to either General Sherman or the Quaking Aspen - depending on the definition of 'tree'. Those who are particularly allured by trees should check out these 13 tallest trees in the world. The focus will also be on trees that are presumed to still be alive.

UPDATE: 2023/04/21 14:12 EST BY AARON SPRAY

Even More Of The Tallest Trees In The World

The tallest trees in the world are massive and are an awe-inspiring sight to behold. Who really knows what the tallest tree in the world or the second-tallest tree in the world really is? The current tallest tree in the world was only discovered in 2006 in a remote section of Redwood National Park - perhaps the real tallest is yet to be discovered. This list was updated and expanded with even more of the tallest trees in the world.

14 Hyperion, Redwood National Park - The Tallest Tree In The World

Hyperion Tree is the Tallest Tree
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Hyperion Tree is the Tallest Tree

It's no big surprise that the world's tallest tree is a redwood, located in California's Redwood National Park. Discovered in 2006, the tree was measured to be a staggering 380 feet tall and appropriately named Hyperion.

The exact location of Hyperion within the park is kept a secret to protect the tree from damage or vandalism, so you may or may not see it if you visit Redwoods National Park. Unfortunately, it is believed that Hyperion will no longer be able to grow taller due to woodpecker damage at the top of the tree, but in its 600-year lifetime, it's done plenty of growing.

13 Centurion, Arve Valley

Eucalyptus tall trees growing in Hastings Caves state reserve Tasmania
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Eucalyptus tall trees growing in Hastings Caves state reserve Tasmania

Across the Pacific Ocean and into the Southern Hemisphere, you'll find the second-tallest tree in the world, the mighty Centurion. It is located in Tasmania, a small island off the coast of Australia. This giant stands at about 330 feet tall, but its height varies with growth.

Named after Roman centurions, the tree is the tallest of the Eucalyptus regnans species, the second-tallest class of tree after the coast redwood. Centurion was very narrowly saved in February 2019 when a bushfire broke out in southern Tasmania and wiped out much of the surrounding flora.

12 Doerner Fir, Coos County

Redwood National & State Parks washington fall foliage
Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash
Redwood National & State Parks washington fall foliage

The third-tallest tree in the world is located in southwest Oregon, just north of Redwoods National Park. At 327 feet, the Doerner Fir comes very close to the height of Centurion, and if it were to grow taller, it could easily take the silver for World's Tallest Tree.

The tallest Douglas Fir in the world, the Doerner Fir grows in a forest owned by the Coos County Bureau of Land Management. You can find it in east Coos County, one of the last remaining giant Douglas Firs. During the previous century, many of the tallest trees in the Pacific Northwest were cut for their timber, and the Doerner Fir is a relic of the past forest.

11 Alpine Ash, Tasmania

Aerial view of Wineglass Bay Beach, Tasmania

Tasmania's Florentine Valley is famous for its ancient forests, which remain almost completely untouched. There, many Eucalyptus delegatensis trees tower above others, one, in particular, reaching a height of 288 feet.

Also known as Alpine Ash, these trees are slightly smaller than the Eucalyptus regnans variety, but no less awe-inspiring. The Florentine Valley is under threat of deforestation. Some of the trees there are of high value to the timber industry, and Forestry Tasmania has been in an ongoing conflict with conservation groups over the area.

10 Taiwania, Taiwan

Jacob White Cloud Mountains in Taiwan
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Jacob White Cloud Mountains in Taiwan.

Taiwania is a large coniferous tree belonging to the cypress family Cupressaceae. The tree species is native to eastern Asia and grows in the mountains of central Taiwan and in parts of southwest China, northern Vietnam, and northern Myanmar. The species is one of the largest tree species found in Asia and the tallest tree is known to rise to 84 meters or 276 feet. The trees live for around 100 years before going mature leaves.

9 Sugar Pine, Yosemite

Sugar Pines In Yosemite National Park
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Sugar Pines In Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is home to the Giant Sequoias, but there are other giants in the area too. The Sugar pine (or pinus lambertiana) is the tallest and most massive of the world's pine trees. They also have the longest cones of any conifer. They are found on the West Coast of North America in coastal and inland mountain areas from Oregon south to Baja California in Mexico. They commonly grow to 130 to 195 feet (40 to 60 meters) but on occasion get to 269 feet or 82 meters. The tallest is found in Yosemite National Park and is 273 feet 9 inches tall (83.45 meters).

8 Noble Fir, Washington

Noble fir silhouetted by a brilliant, fiery sunset
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Noble fir silhouetted by a brilliant, fiery sunset

The Noble Fir (scientifically abies procera) - also called red fir and Christmas tree - is a large conifer native to the Cascade and Pacific Coast Ranges of the Pacific Northwest. They commonly grow up to 70 meters or 230 feet tall, and they can grow for up to 200 years. The Noble Fir is the world's tallest true fir, and they generally grow at altitudes between 1,000 and 5,000 feet or 300 and 1,500 meters. The largest towers 295 feet or 89.9 meters and is found in the Goat Marsh Research Natural Area in Washington State.

7 Neeminah Loggorale Meena, Tasmania

Kangaroos At Sunset

Neeminah Loggorale Meena is about as tall as its name is long. Standing proudly in the forests of Tasmania, this Tasmanian blue gum tree is currently the tallest of its kind, but in the past, there have been much taller.

Neeminah Loggorale Meena, meaning "mother and daughter" in the native Aboriginal language, stands almost totally isolated in a clear-cut area. Thankfully, its 298-foot height protects it under local Tasmanian Forestry law, which states that any tree taller than 85 meters (278 feet) cannot be cut down.

6 Yellow Meranti, Maliau Basin Conservation Area

Rainforests Of Borneo At Sunrise
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View of Borneo Rainforest with sunrise

Located in Borneo, researchers discovered the world's tallest tropical tree, a yellow meranti reaching a height of 293 feet. The tree was only measured in 2016, and it is currently being studied.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge were studying biodiversity in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area when they made the incredible discovery. Its height was captured first using a 3D scan, and then for more precision, a climber scaled the tree to get its exact height. When it was measured, the researchers found out it was almost as tall as London's Big Ben!

5 White Knight, Evercreech Forest Reserve

Rainbow eucalyptus trees
Photo 38789374 © Jay Beiler | Dreamstime.com
Rainbow eucalyptus trees

This White Knight may not be saving any damsels in distress, but its height is pretty heroic. It gets its name from the white peppermint species, of which it is the tallest example. Its height is just shy of 300 feet, at exactly 299.

You'll see the White Knight among other huge white peppermints and eucalyptus trees in the forests of Tasmania, which is famed for its crazy-tall trees. The White Knight can be visited (and attracts large numbers of dendrophiles) near the town of Mathinna.

4 Unnamed Giant Sequoia, Sequoia National Forest

Giant Redwood trees in Sequoia and Kings canyon national park, California
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Giant Redwood trees in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California

The giant sequoia is accurately named - these trees are among the biggest in the world, and when you step into a sequoia forest, you'll truly be surrounded by nature's skyscrapers. Although they do grow taller than most species of trees, few are taller than 300 feet.

One giant sequoia in California's Sequoia National Forest, however, reaches an incredible height of 314 feet, but unfortunately, it doesn't yet have a name. If you're planning a trip to nearby Yosemite National Park, be sure to check out the Sequoia National Forest and see these enormous trees.

3 Raven's Tower, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

sunlight peaking through California Redwoods
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sunlight peaking through California Redwoods

Like Hyperion, there isn't an exact location given for Raven's Tower, but you might spot it within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The park is special because it was established to protect Raven's Tower and other massive trees in the area specifically for their height, and at 317 feet, this tree is definitely worth protecting.

The Sitka spruce was measured in 2007 and is known to be growing still, so it may even be taller now, though it hasn't been measured since. It is known to have an intricate system of roots and plants growing on it well above ground level, and though this seems bizarre, the damp climate and immense width of the tree make it possible!

2 Menara, Danum Valley Conservation Area

Danum Valley Conservation Area, Lahad Datu, Malaysia
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Danum Valley Conservation Area, Lahad Datu, Malaysia

Deep in the tangled rainforest of Sabah, Malaysia, researchers discovered a yellow meranti affectionately called Menara that reaches a height of 331 feet.

Scientists at the University of Nottingham and Oxford announced the Menara to be the tallest tropical tree in the world. That said, there is a fair amount of disagreement on whether this is actually the tallest tropical tree in the area, let alone the world. A similarly lengthy tree of the same family is also located in Tawau Hills Park.

1 Bonus Round - King Stringy, Tasmania

Eucalyptus tree against sky
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Eucalyptus tree against sky

Affectionately named King Stringy, this stringybark tree rounds off the list of the world's tallest trees. The King rises above its neighbors, standing 282 feet tall, the tallest Eucalyptus obliqua.

The stringybark is named for its flaky, stringy bark that peels easily. No need to worry though, as this species is one of the toughest trees out there. The wood and bark of the tree are quite sturdy, and its flowers provide a haven for bees. All in all, this is one pretty kingly tree.