Cupressus gigantea, the Tibetan cypress, is a species of conifer in the family Cupressaceae in Asia. C. gigantea was previously classified as a subspecies of Cupressus torulosa because of their similar morphological characteristics and close distribution, but have since been genetically distinguished as separate species.[1]
It is endemic to Southeast Tibet - China on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, particularly in the dry valleys of Nyang River and Yarlung Tsangpo River.[2] Cupressus gigantea is the biggest of all Cupressus species.
The biggest known specimen is the famous King Cypress, about 50 meters high, 5.8 meters in diameter, 0.165acres of crown-projection-area; and calculated age of 2,600 years.