Stepanavan Botanical Gardens (Dendropark)

The Botanical Gardens "Sochut" (Dendropark "Pine forests") of Stepanavan is located in the village of Gyulagarak of the Lori Marz (region) 12 km far from the city of Stepanavan, 185 km to the north from Yerevan, at a height of 1,450 meters above the sea level. The Dendropark was founded by the Polish engineer-forester Edmond Leontovich, in 1931. Its total area is about 35 hectares. The Botanical Garden was recognized as a specially protected area in 1998. The territory of the garden consists of natural forest, patterned plants, linden paths and other species of wild origin. The main part of the plants was brought from Yerevan Botanical Gardens, as well as from many other countries: Georgia, the Ukraine, Russia, and the Far East. Numerous species of plants were also received from Germany, France, Portugal, China and the United States. Nowadays, there are more than 500 species of plants. More than 2,500 species of plants have been experimented during the existence of the dendropark, trying to find a new species that could grow there. Nowadays, only 500 species of plants have adapted in this region, where are extreme natural conditions. The California redwood (sequoia) is of particular value. Five huge trees, planted next to each other, are still young, and will gain height during several centuries.