Click photo on left to see more detail.
In 1991 this Humboldt “Giant” was considered to be the largest tree in the world.
On the other hand some say the Mendocino Tree is the tallest tree in the world:
“The tallest living tree stands at 112 meters (367 feet, 6 in.), or five stories higher than the Statue of Liberty. It is the Mendocino Tree, a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) found at Montgomery State Reserve near Ukiah, California, USA. It is estimated to be over 1000 years old. The tree was last measured in September 1998, and was also found to have a diameter of 3.14 m. (10 ft. 4 in.). It was declared the tallest tree in 1996.”
The Guinness Book of Records has a different take ……
” The world’s tallest living tree is the Stratosphere Giant measuring 112.7 m (370 ft) as of July 2004. This coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) was discovered by Chris Atkins (USA) in August 2000 in the Rockefeller Forest of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California, USA.
The precise location of the giant tree is always kept secret by the Park Rangers in case enthusiastic tree fans accidentally damage its fragile environment. The second tallest tree living, known as The Federation Giant, measures 112 m (368 ft) and also lives at the Humboldt Redwoods State Park.”
This article copied from the San Francisco Chronicle details the how the Mendocino Tree fell from top spot.
So how do you get to see the Mendocino Giant?
From Mendocino go 30 miles east on Comptche-Ukiah Road and pass through Comptche (it’s tiny – if you blink you’ll miss it). Continue on as it becomes Orr Hot Springs Road, a scenic, winding and poorly maintained country road. Park in the lot of the Mendocino Woods State Park on the right just east of a small bridge.
Walk south from the lot, cross the bridge and turn left. The trail goes up a fairly steep hill at the start. At the top you enter a large stands of virgin (never been cut) redwood trees which include (the unmarked) Mendocino Tree. There is a loop trail which is about two miles long and takes an hour to walk.