Istanbul Trees | Biivip

1- Sycamore Tree: The name of the tree, which is found in the Ottoman settlements in the squares from the smallest village to the Payitah, and expresses the power, might, dominance and challenge of the empire with its gigantic size, wide trunk, high branches and large leaves. There are monumental plane trees in the first and second courtyards of Topkapı Palace, especially around the Divan-ı Hümayun and in front of Bab-ı Hümayun and Bab-ı Selam. This plane tree dominance continues in Gülhane garden and Alemdar Hill, in front of Zeynep Sultan Mosque. Sultan Ahmet Square and the courtyard of the Mosque and the plane trees on the tramway in Kabataş again emphasize the same power. In the courtyard of Eyüp Sultan Mosque, Osmanağası of Kadıköy, Mihrimah of Üsküdar, especially Atik Validesi, Anadoluhisarı, in Göksu, Kandilli, Kanlıca, Çubuklu, Paşabahçe, Beykoz. The plane tree is the most important element in the composition of religious architecture, mosques, fountains, mausoleums, piers and coffeehouses in Kavaklar, Emirgan and especially in Çengelköy.

2- Oak: It is possible to see monumental oaks, especially in the groves of the Bosphorus and Anadoluhisarı, right in front of the Çubuklu Hidiv Pavilion, Beykoz Kaymakdonduran and Yıldız Grove on the Rumeli side.

3- Cypress: Although this tree, which is pronounced as cypress among the people, is generally and incorrectly perceived as a cemetery tree, the cypress is an important element of landscape architecture in Istanbul garden and grove culture. In Divan literature, lovers and beauties are always cypress-height. In the religious-mystical understanding, the cypress can also be symbolized as the equivalent of the letter "Elif". It is erected on their graves because it signifies a return to God from there. The gardens of the Sünbül Efendi and Yahya Efendi Tombs are always full of cypress trees, especially in the Topkapı Palace, the summer palace on the Cape of Fenerbahçe with monumental cypresses from the Kanuni period. Another place where Istanbul's oldest cypresses are seen is the Karacaahmet cemetery.

4- Pistachio Pine: It is common in Üsküdar, Nakkaştepe, starting from the ridges of Fethipaşa Grove, especially on the Anatolian side. Monuments can be seen on the hills of Anadoluhisarı, and these stretch between Paşabahçe and Beykoz as far as Burunbahçe. In addition, the stone pines in Küçük Çamlıca Grove are among the monumental examples.

5- Redbud: The other tree of Istanbul, which does not live as long as a plane tree, cannot spread to groves as much as an oak, cannot stand out with its upright stance like a cypress, is smaller in size, modest, but leaves the others behind with its flowering. In April – May, in the groves of the Bosphorus, on the shores of the Marmara Sea, around Gülhane Park, in Rumelihisarı, and even in almost all of Istanbul, the redbud makes a show in the city with its distinctive pink hues, albeit for a short time.

6- Horse Chestnut: Another tree that has secretly competed with the plane tree in Istanbul in recent years is the horse chestnut. It is as if he is making a deep effort to take the place of the plane tree in the squares. It started to be built gradually from Beyazıt Square to Sultanahmet Square, from there to Gülhane Park and many school gardens. When it opens with large white bunches of flowers, it makes a nazire with the image of a plane tree. This simple beauty of its white flowers is suppressed by the flamboyant and resplendent riot of colors of the main red-flowered horse chestnuts. From dried rose to wine color, with its red-toned colors, horse chestnuts suit Istanbul very well. It is also possible to say that it created a new fashion around Bağdat Street on the Anatolian side.

7- Çitlembik: Like the cypress is a cemetery tree, hackberry is a "tekke-shrine" tree that accompanies it right next to it. In Yedikule, examples of hackberry can be seen in the cemetery (cemetery) and garden of the Imrahor İlyas Bey Monument.

8- Ash: The ash tree, which stands out as a grove next to oak, is now a very rare tree species in Istanbul. However, we recommend the enthusiasts to see the ash tree that was installed right next to the Mihrişah Sultan Fountain in the garden of Küçüksu Pavilion on the Bosphorus.

9- Gum Tree: It is possible to see the most beautiful examples of Istanbul's magnificent mastic trees in the Turing Garden on Fenerbahçe Cape, on the Kadıköy side.

10- Magnolia:  Magnolia is a modern and noble tree that came to Istanbul later, or rather was brought. It sometimes extends to the size of sycamore and oak, but it does not shed its leaves like them, it is evergreen. On top of that, magnificent flowers bloom. His show, which started in the palace and pavilion gardens, was seen as an example in the Bosphorus, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Mustafa Reşit Pasha's Pavilion in Baltalimanı, and then began to appear in other Bosphorus mansions.

11- Olive Tree: Another cultural plant that forms the native tree of the Anatolian side, like oak in Istanbul, is the olive tree. It is generally found on the shores of Marmara, in areas that see the sea.

12- Linden Tree: Another tree in Istanbul's watercourses and gardens is the linden tree. Linden trees are found especially on the shores of the Bosphorus, in water sources and in recreation areas.

13- Mimosa Tree: It is the mimosa tree that heralds spring in the region between Maltepe and Adalar on the Marmara coast, mostly on the Anatolian side of Istanbul.

14- Laurel Tree: The laurel tree is another tree that can be found in the gardens of mansions, mansions and Bosphorus groves and that reproduces in nature by seeds just like redbud (Hudayinabit).

15- Cedar of Lebanon: Although it is rare in Istanbul, another tree that suits the city very well and creates an impact with its beauty and air is the Lebanese cedar. It is possible to see beautiful and magnificent examples in Yakacık, Emirgan and Beylerbeyi.

16- Pavlonia: Another tree that has recently emerged with colorful flowers in Istanbul, starting from the shores of the Bosphorus together with the Redbud, is the pavlonya.

17- Palace Tulip: The palace tulip, which is a type of magnolia but blooms with flowers resembling purple bulbs before its leaves, is among the trees that add beauty to Istanbul.

Source: Dursun, H. (2012). History, Space and Culture: Istanbul. Bilgili, A. E. (Editor) In City and Culture Istanbul (p:107-181). Istanbul: Profil Publishing.