| Cypress of Abarkuh | |
| Species: | Mediterranean cypress |
| Binomial: | Cupressus sempervirens |
| Location: | Abarkuh, Yazd, Iran |
| Coordinates: | 31.1226°N 53.2798°W |
The Cypress of Abarkuh (Persian: سرو ابرکوه Sarv-e Abarkuh), also called the Zoroastrian Sarv,[1] is a Persian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) tree in Abarkuh in Yazd Province of Iran. It is protected by the Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran as a national natural monument and is a major tourist attraction with a height of 25m (82feet) and with a perimeter of 11.5m (37.7feet) at its trunk and 18m (59feet) higher up around its branches. It is estimated to be over four millennia old and is likely the oldest or second-oldest living lifeform in Asia.[2]
There is a legend about the tree, which says the tree was first planted by Zoroaster. It is said that Zoroaster left to spread his teachings to an Iranian city towards Balkh and met Shah Vishtaspa. He stopped at Abarkuh and supposedly planted this tree.[3]