Michael W. Taylor (born 25 April 1966) is an American forester who is notable for being a leading discoverer of champion and tallest trees - most notably coast redwoods. In 2006, Taylor co-discovered the tallest known tree in the world, a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) now named "Hyperion". He also discovered "Helios" and "Icarus", the 2nd and 3rd tallest.
Michael Taylor | |
|---|---|
 Michael Taylor in Redwood National Park taking a preliminary measurement with a laser rangefinder | |
| Born | Michael W. Taylor 25 April 1966 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Forester |
| Known for | Discovery of Hyperion (tree), the tallest tree in the world; discovery of various other notable redwoods |
National Geographic made a video about the discovery and measuring of Hyperion.[1] The discovery made headlines.[2][3][4]
Taylor has discovered 50 coast redwoods over 350 feet (107 m) tall, and co-discovered approximately 100 more with Chris Atkins and Stephen Sillett, who is the first holder of the Kenneth L. Fisher Chair in Redwood Forest Ecology at Humboldt State University.[5] Taylor and Sillett have collaborated and measured remarkable previously unknown redwoods. Their discoveries have fueled research and public interest in coast redwoods, which are now a World Heritage Site.
Michael is a main character of the non-fiction book (2007) The Wild Trees.[6] The narrative includes how Taylor began exploring for tall trees, measuring tallest trees, and later networking with Pacific coast forest researchers.
Taylor co-discovered the largest known coast redwood named Lost Monarch in the Grove of Titans, as well as Iluvatar in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
Tallest tree discoveries
editRedwoods: Helios and Icarus were discovered in 2006, shortly before Hyperion. Hyperion was the record height coast redwood that prompted National Geographic Society and Save-the-Redwoods League to coordinate a documentary. These are just 3 of many coast redwoods over 350 feet (107 m) feet which Michael Taylor discovered. The details are chronicled at www.talltreesclub.org[dead link]
| Tree Name | Height | |
|---|---|---|
| m | ft | |
| Hyperion | 115.61 | 379.3 |
| Helios | 114.58 | 375.9 |
| Icarus | 113.14 | 371.2 |
Pines: Discovery of 4 new world's tallest pine trees, January, 2011.[8]
Largest coast redwood discoveries
edit
Taylor discovered and co-discovered the largest known coast redwoods. The locations of these trees have not been disclosed by the National and California State Parks to the general public. For more information see www.landmarktrees.net
| Tree Name | Location | Height | Diameter (b.h) | Volume | Source | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| m | ft | m | ft | m3 | ft3 | |||
| Lost Monarch | JSRSP | 97.5 | 320 | 7.9 | 26 | 1203.46 | 42,500 | [9] |
| Fusion Giant, aka Melkor | RNP | 106.3 | 349 | 6.8 | 22 | 1107.2 | 39,100 | [10] |
| Iluvatar | PCRSP | 91.43 | 300.0 | 6.25 | 20.5 | 1061.88 | 37,500 | [9] |
| Del Norte Titan | JSRSP | 93.6 | 307 | 7.3 | 24 | 1053.38 | 37,200 | [9] |
| El Viejo Del Norte | JSRSP | 98.7 | 324 | 7.1 | 23 | 1002.41 | 35,400 | [9] |
| Howland Hill Giant | JSRSP | 100.6 | 330 | 5.85 | 19.2 | 950.9 | 33,580 | [11] |
Education
editTaylor attended Humboldt State University from 1984 to 1987 studying forestry, attended San Diego State University in 1988, returned to Humboldt State University 1992-94 completing a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering.
Location
editMichael Taylor resides in northern California.
References
edit- ^ National Geographic: Measuring Hyperion
- ^ Eureka, new tallest living thing, San Francisco Chronicle
- ^ "For Extreme Tree Hunters, Redwoods Rule". Washington Post.
- ^ "For Extreme Tree Hunters, Redwoods Rule". NBC News. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016.
- ^ "Sillett: Ken L. Fisher Chair in Redwood Forest Ecology". Archived from the original on 2013-01-04.
- ^ Preston, Richard (2007), The Wild Trees: A Story Of Passion And Daring. Allen Lane Publishers.
- ^ Christopher J. Earle. "Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood)". The Gymnosperm Database. Retrieved 2014-11-01.
- ^ KGW News, World's Tallest Pine, January 23, 2011 Archived September 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d Gymnosperm Database
- ^ Vaden, M. D. (2008). Grove of Titans & Atlas Grove. Website Documentary Page.
- ^ Van Pelt, R. (2001). Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast. Global Forest. ISBN 0-295-98140-7.