Yew-tree and Boxwood Tree Grove, Natural monument in Sochi, Russia
The Yew-tree and Boxwood Tree Grove spreads across several hundred hectares on the eastern slope near Sochi, protecting ancient trees that can live for more than 2000 years. The vegetation grows densely beneath a canopy that bathes the forest floor in shifting light and keeps the air cool even on hot summer days.
The area was placed under state protection in the early 1930s to preserve one of the last large stretches of these relict forests. The trees themselves survived ice ages and climate shifts that made other plant species in the region disappear.
The medieval wall along the cliff at the northern edge shows stone structures from past times that hikers notice when entering the reserve. Local guides speak of the mountain peoples who used these heights as a refuge, taking advantage of the natural fortification of the terrain.
Three marked trails lead through the forest, ranging from a short walk to a longer hike that can take several hours. The paths can become slippery after rain, so sturdy footwear is advisable, especially on the sections with roots and stones.
Some of the yew trees in the forest have a trunk diameter exceeding one meter (39 inches), indicating an exceptionally old age sometimes estimated at more than 1000 years. Scientists regularly collect samples to reconstruct the growth rates and environmental conditions of past centuries.
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