Abstract The Zagros forests face multiple threats and challenges, such as the scarcity of seed-producing mother trees of Persian oak, which hinders their natural regeneration. Sourcing high-quality seeds is crucial for nursery production and forest restoration programs. Decision-making plays a pivotal role in identifying suitable seed provenances by assessing various ecological and biological criteria to ensure effective forest restoration and sustainable nursery development. In this study, acorns of Persian oak were collected from four altitude gradients and cultivated under greenhouse conditions. This research aims to identify the optimal seed provenance for Persian oak (Quercus brantii) using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), based on morphological, germination, and growth criteria. We defined relevant criteria, sub-criteria, and alternative seed sources based on a range of ecological attributes. Using AHP, we calculated local and global weights and assessed matrix consistency. The analysis indicated that the 1550-meter elevation is the most suitable provenance due to its superior performance across the studied criteria. For seed morphological traits and seed germination traits, these were identified as effective criteria, respectively. According to the results, the suitable seed provenances are 1550, 1750, and 1650, respectively.