There doesn't seem to be one clear answer here. According to the US National Park Service
http://www.nps.gov/seki/shrm_pic.htm the largest tree in the world is the General Sherman Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). This claim appears to be based on volume, the General Sherman having a volume of over 52,000 cubic feet. The Arbol del Tule, ahuehuete (Taxodium mucronatum) makes the claim based on a diameter of over 14m, at least 3 m more than the General Sherman. The Arbol del Tule is also claimed to be largest based on biomass.
As if that wasn't confusing enough, some people make the argument that a poplar clone might be even larger than either of these, since a grove of poplars can all be sprouted from the same root, genetically identical, and therefore all part of one tree, technically. If you subscribe to this assertion, then many poplar clones would excede either of the above.
What's more, the claim of world's largest organism may go to a fungus in Oregon, which covers an area of almost 10 square kilometres and would exceed any sequoia or ahuehuete both in volume, diameter and mass.
So take your pick. Anyone who can shed further light on this is welcome to comment below. I will personally try to bring back pictures of said ahuehuete during my trip.
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If anyone interested in further factoids about giant trees:
The currently living tallest tree is a Redwood in California, measuring at 112m.
But, the tallest tree on Record is a Eucalyptus tree in Australia, measuring at 143m.
It's remarkable, when you think of the gravity defying feat of drawing water out of the ground and then up over 100 metres to the tops of their crowns.
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