Years ago, Robert Van Pelt wrote in  Forest Giants, that there’s always a bigger one out there somewhere. And sure enough, 2016 chimes-in with another discovery in Redwood National and State Parks,  January 30th,  3:30 pm. The redwood forest raised the bar once again with a new discovery called “Hail Storm”

You may have seen the note on my redwood discovery page, but I do not post stats or photos anymore for new champions, but will mention when something is found.

What  caught my attention with the new discovery was the excellent condition in relation to the weather  the past few years that made a lot of people nervous about  survival of trees. But this discovery is fine. Full crown, no dead tops, nice foliage color. Given a few dry seasons, that’s impressive.

The redwood shown below in the first photo is not that champion but a lovely grove I passed through hours before finding the new champion.  This was a favorite spot of the day.

If you assumed it’s a Sequoia sempervirens, think again.  The redwood forest was mentioned but there’s many genus of trees in the parks. Apparently some rube is misinforming people that Hail Storm is near Jordan Creek. Not even close! Plus a false size ranking for tree similar to Screaming Titans, an obvious double (two trees).  Hail Storm has one distinct trunk. And the species is Tsuga heterophylla. It’s a western hemlock surpassing 200 feet height, discovered with a friend Chad Olson. Best I can tell, Hail Storm has the points to be a CA state champ, but some years ago I quit nominating new finds. Hail Storm is close to tying the national Tsuga champ nominated by Wood & Van Pelt in 1989. Hail Storm has over 500 points. But we’re not going to nominate, so there’s no need to measure and milk every final point.

The 2nd photo below shows the lower trunk of Hail Storm, found in an opposite section of the park.

Coast Redwood