It has not withered for 9 centuries.

The juniper tree located in the village of Karacaören, belonging to the Imranlı district of Sivas, has been standing tall for 9 centuries and fascinates those who see it.

The juniper tree, which is located in a dominant position in the village of Karacaören in the Imranlı district of Sivas, draws attention with its grandeur. This tree, which holds great importance for the local people, was placed under protection by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization’s General Directorate of Nature Conservation in 2016. Registered as a monument tree and also known as the rough juniper, this tree is approximately 950 years old and continues to attract the attention of nature lovers by preserving its natural beauty over the years. The villagers state that the tree has not withered for years and suggest that its age could be even greater.

“This tree has never dried out”

Ali Naci Gülçiçek, a villager, said, “This tree has never dried out and it will not dry out. The area around the tree was not like this; its roots were always exposed. An old uncle of ours made the surroundings. He filled the gaps in the tree’s roots with soil. This tree has never dried out, and it will not dry out. Its feature, its secret, is within itself.”

“This tree is even older”

Rıza Çürük, who states that the protected tree is approximately 950 years old, said, “No one knows the fate of this tree. The village was established over 350 years ago, and this tree was already here at that time. This is a juniper tree. Juniper trees have a very long lifespan. It has been determined that this tree has a history of 950 to 960 years. However, I believe this tree is even older. There are two more trees in our village that are similar to this one. This tree has not dried out until now.”