Introduction
Cupressus semprevirens
You are in the Empúries high plain and can see two species from the cypress family. One is Cupressus semprevirens, the best known, which has a narrow elongated shape and is normally associated with cemeteries; the other is Capressus macrocarpa, originally from California, with horizontal branches and a pyramidal shape.
This tree, originally from Greece, Turkey and the Middle East, was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula and spread across it long ago. In Catalonia it is always planted, it has never naturalised. In inland dune areas, it was planted to stabilise the dunes.
It is a very long-lived species and can live up to 2000 years (hence the name “sempervirens”), which might be why it is linked with funerary customs.
Its wood is hard, resists damp, is not attacked by woodworm and was used in carpentry, woodturning and sculpture. According to tradition, legendary structures like Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s temple were largely made from cypress.