A New Outlook on the 4000-Year-Old Cypress of Abarkooh

The Cypress of Abarkouh (Persian: ‎ Sarv-e Abarkouh), is a Cypresses sempervirens tree in Abarkouh in Yazd Province of Iran. This ancient tree with a height of 25 meters which is estimated to be over four thousand years, considered as one of the tree in Iran, was recognized as a national natural monument in 2003 and has been a major tourist attraction. This individual tree is located in central parts of Iran next to an old Qanat in the city of Abarkouh. This genetic reserve is unique not only from the aspect of age, botanical forms and beauty, but also from historical and ancient point of view. It has witnessed many events over the history both environmental and social, such as wars, global warming, and climate change. As a matter of fact, there are many more aspects to the study of this tree that reveal its value; namely ecological memory which provides us with valuable information on environmental factors of the past, and geological and evolutionary information. Anthecologists are investigating the hypothesis of having many Mediterranean cypress trees planted by Elamites around 5000 years ago which strongly admits the value of this tree in revealing historical information from the past.