Fusion Giant Redwood aka Melkor

by Mario Vaden

 

Note: Extra page on trunks - Fusion vs. Confusion

This coast redwood is Fusion Giant, aka Melkor. Around 2008 its dimensions showed up on a Humboldt State University page as a new 2nd largest coast redwood, named "anonymous". Previously, Iluvatar was listed as the 2nd largest. For reference, 2009 data for Fusion Giant is 348.8 feet tall and 22.4 feet diameter dbh and 39,100 cubic feet wood volume. The main stem is 33,500 cu. ft. On one side of the trunk, a vertical line with different looking bark on each side is indicative of fused redwood trunks. But it will look single trunk to most people. Melkor is memorable for me because while searching for it the first time, I found another redwood which had a trunk diameter nearly as wide. The other, 22 feet diameter, is named Episkopos. The name Episkopos (Overseer) refers to its position that overlooks Redwood Creek valley. In 2011, Melkor became co-champion coast redwood with American Forests. The 2011 New York Times article spelled the name Melcor. Some other information outlets feeding from that source retained a typo that the circumference was 7 feet and 4 inches, which would be a bean pole by comparison !!

After finding Episkopos, it became apparent undiscovered titans could be anywhere unexplored, proving giants can live high on the hills. Months later, Dr. Sillett of Humboldt State University discovered another titan on a hillside in the same Redwood National Park while exploring with Kenneth Fisher, the investment firm businessman. They named that other one Tulkus.

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I remember the first day I looked for this redwood, Sunday August 10, 2008. It was a dry day with comfortable weather and partly sunny sky. A ranger or volunteer at the visitor center said "you will never find it".

There is also a giant burl on the trunk near ground level, the size of a small automobile. It is very safe from poachers due to the remote location. The ground beneath Melkor is often dark and shaded. The subject for scale is Jenni, an acquaintence from Eureka who helped with a few other photography projects. This photo happens to be the same for my 20 x 30 print canvas images. A few of you may have seen it hanging in the Crescent Harbor Art Gallery.

Melkor is not very obvious toward the end of the Tall Trees Grove trail, and can burn a lot of daylight unless someone already intends to get the free hiking permit, gate lock combination and hike round trip to Redwood Creek. Otherwise, easier giant redwoods to find are north in Jedediah Smith park at the Grove of Titans.