Updates: Remeasured December 4, 2020 at 213.08 feet;
July 17, 2021 at 213.98 feet; November 24, 2022 at 214.89 feet. Video link included after a few paragraphs.

by Mario Vaden, Certified Arborist ISA PN-5584A

March 2020, we discovered a new height record for Sequoiadendron planted outside the natural range, near Eagle Point, Oregon. I measured the height with a Lasertech Impulse 200LR on a tripod. The height was 212 feet or 64.6 meters. Estimated age 90 – 100 years. Diameter over 7 feet at dbh. The 200LR is what we used for the 340′ – 380′ coast redwood LIDAR project in Redwood National and State Parks. I forwarded the measurement and video to Dr. Steve Sillett for his records, and he forwarded to Dr. Robert Van Pelt. Both replied that this Sequoiadendron is the tallest planted specimen they are aware of, outside the natural range.

Edit, June 2021: a couple websites were found referring to a 200 foot Sequoiadendron in Mt. Tabor park of Portland, Oregon. The even round “200” number raises doubt. It has an inventory number #152 with no info for who measured it, or how. One site shows a photo of the tree saying it was registered 1997 at 139 feet. I may measure it next drive up there, but suspect the height may be closer to 180 feet. Mt. Tabor park was developed in the early 1900s on a volcanic cinder cone named after Mt. Tabor in Israel, six miles east of Nazareth.

Now back to the Southern Oregon Sequoiadendron.

In the USA, two species of “redwood” are indigenous. This one, Sequoiadendron, grows inland in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the natural range, where it is known to reach 314 feet in the old growth forests. Sequoiadendron have also been planted in Europe, New Zealand, Germany, etc., since the 1800’s, with heights reaching close to 58 meters or 190 feet.

Measured March 19, 2020, I am recording this measurement as an arborist report. Mario D. Vaden, Certified Arborist, PN 5584A

VIDEO LINK > 212 FOOT SEQUOIDENDRON VIDEO

When the video link opens try Theater Mode or Full Screen

Images below mainly show the same model of laser and how it is generally setup and used. The 1st image below shows the Lasertech 200 LR, the day I measured the world’s tallest known maple Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The 2nd image from Redwood National Park has researcher Dr. Steve Sillett helping Chris Atkins, set a tripod on a hill to mount an Impulse 200LR. The 3rd image shows Chris getting a 200LR ready during a LIDAR project. The 4th image is Michael Taylor, another person in the network. Chris and Michael are the two men who found the world’s tallest recorded tree in Redwood National Park.

December 4, 2020 I remeasured this same Sequoiadendron after one full growing season in what was a low yearly rainfall year. The tree grew one foot of height.

12/2020 total height 213.08′

Laser readings 217.53′ – 4.45′ = 213.08′ (highest reading 217.83′)

SD 325.84′ – Inc. 41.82 – HD 242.4′ top & 236.0′ base

The tree was measured again July, 2021. It should reach 214 feet with more growth in August. I will probably measure again in a couple months. This is already close to 2020’s growth, but through 2021’s nearly 2 full weeks of 100 degree F. temps that reached about 114 degrees, and a very dry spring.

July 17, 2021 height 213.98 feet

(One reading put the height at 214.02)

This image is the “window” at which the top was measured.

The next photo was taken from a open rock formation ledge uphill, looking almost level across to the top and scenery in the distance. It’s the top almost directly in the center of the photo.

The next image is cropped from the one above, showing the top with cones and a nice live top and foliage.

And closer. Photographed 300mm from a distance with some wind.