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.

National Geographic made a video about the discovery and measuring of Hyperion.National Geographic: Measuring Hyperion The discovery made headlines.Eureka, new tallest living thing, San Francisco Chronicle

Taylor has discovered 50 coast redwoods over 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. 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.Preston, Richard (2007), The Wild Trees: A Story Of Passion And Daring. Allen Lane Publishers. 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

Redwoods: 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 feet which Michael Taylor discovered. The details are chronicled at www.talltreesclub.org

Tree Name Height m ft Hyperion Helios Icarus

Pines: Discovery of 4 new world's tallest pine trees, January, 2011.KGW News, World's Tallest Pine, January 23, 2011

Largest coast redwood discoveries

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

Tree Name Location Height Diameter (b.h) Volume Source m ft m ft m3 ft3 Lost Monarch JSRSP Gymnosperm Database Fusion Giant, aka Melkor RNP Vaden, M. D. (2008). Grove of Titans & Atlas Grove. Website Documentary Page. Iluvatar PCRSP Del Norte Titan JSRSP El Viejo Del Norte JSRSP Howland Hill Giant JSRSP Van Pelt, R. (2001). Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast. Global Forest. .

Education Taylor 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 Michael Taylor resides in northern California.

References