Here is a heads-up on the recent discovery of a tallest hemlock in Redwood National and State Parks. The tree has been named "Tsunami" Details and photos are at: http://www.mdvaden.com/hemlock_tallest.shtml It's barely been 2 months since we discovered the tallest pines in January, 2011.
Nice find! Given that the base of the tree on one side is about 3m higher than on the other side, where do you measure from? I was taught from the highest point on the ground, i.e., the side opposite to where the person is standing. Whether you're supposed to kick away loose leaf litter or not to get a solid ground measuring base, I don't know! BTW, high time that US tree measuring got onto a serious scientific basis, and completely eliminate those ridiculous archaic 18th century measurement systems. Metres only, please.
We do two measures. The high or uphill side to to the top, and the low side to the top, then average those measurements. When available, we slide the needles and go from the soil level, and put the forest compost back. The measurement of this hemlock and other tall or large conifer species can also be compared one to another at www.landmarktrees.net
New measurement for 2014, and like the tallest maple about 2 hours south, the hemlock also grew through one of the driest years on record. New height ... 273.42 ft. / 83.33 m Also, Chris Atkins, also found another very tall hemlock in the 270 ft. range. ...