March 2011 marked the discovery of a new world's tallest hemlock, by M. D. Vaden (Beaverton Arborist). The tree, a western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla, was found in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park south of Crescent City, CA. It is just over 271.75 feet tall.
The hemlock has been named "Tsunami" after the big wave event that hit the redwood empire coast the same weekend. A scientist based out of Arcata happened to be in the park, and confirmed the species ID, plus re-measured with a laser rangefinder. Next day, Michael Taylor of Trinity county, CA, also stopped by to measure with another Impulse 200 laser rangefinder. Taylor is a co-discoverer of Hyperion, the world's tallest tree. Archangel Ancient Tree Archive also accompanied the second day, while in the park shooting video.
This discovery was right on the heels of the Taylor & Vaden discovery of 4 new world's tallest pines near Grants Pass, Oregon, during January, 2011. The tallest at 268 feet.
The pines and the hemlock "Tsunami" now put the United States ahead of Australia for the number of tree types over 80 meters tall.
