Objective In order to provide a reference for analysis of the pathophysiological changes of human arterial tree, the effects of the arterial parameters on input impedance of arterial tree were studied by proposing a recursive algorithm to calculate the input impedance. Method A distributed electric network model was constructed for the arterial tree which consisted of 55 segments accounting for all the central vessels and major peripheral arteries. By setting up the peripheral resistance of the model and constructing a unilateral data link list of the arterial tree, the recursive algorithm was employed to compute the input impedance of ascending aorta in the arterial tree. Then, comparisons of the effects of arterial compliance, peripheral resistance, length, internal radius and wall thickness on the input impedance were made based on the recursive algorithm. Results The computational results were in accord with experimental data and results of other models, and proved the validity of the model and algorithm. The input impedances of the arterial tree showed significant influence with different characteristics for different parameters. Conclusions The input impedance of arterial tree can reflect the changes of the hemodynamic parameters effectively, which is an important reference for the pathophysiological diagnosis of human arterial tree.