Plane tree

Plane trees are special for the Turkish society and Ottoman Empire. They are magnificent and long-lasting trees. As a result, they connect the past to the future and teach people to live with patience. Ottoman Empires is resembled to a plane tree which is long-lasting and magnificent.

During the foundation of the Ottoman government, Osman Bey has a dream. In his dream, he sees a moon with him and at that moment a plane tree appears from his belly. This plane tree grows, its shadow covers the world. There’re mountains under this plane tree and on the base of the mountains water arise. It is believed that the history of the Ottoman Empire relies on this dream.

Since we think the trees are the witnesses of the history, here there’s a tree which is remembered with an event and then gains a special name.

Once one of the maids in Topkapı Palace wants to be free and tries to escape from the palace. But a man passing through there at that moment becomes suspicious and doesn’t let her escape by locking her in a plane tree there. The Emperor at that time who is Fatih Sultan Mehmet, suggests to reward the man by doing something and the man asks the emperor to build a building for Janissary. From that time, that plane tree is called as Janissary Plane tree.

Judas Tree

Judas tree suits Istanbul so much that when they bloom the Bosphorus is worth to see! It is told as judas tree is an Istanbullean. Also, there’s this story about its colour. Yahuda who betrays Jesus, cannot stand his guilt anymore and he hangs himself on a judas tree. The tree which blooms white flowers, after this event becomes so ashamed that the flowers turn into red and the colour today we know appears.

If you want to see the beauty of this tree, Şadırvan and Malta Mansions in Yıldız Park or White and Yellow Mansions in Emirgan are the right addresses.

In Byzantium, the foundation of the city, the opening and the day that its name is given were all in may. And in may, judas trees decorate Istanbul like celebrating the city. That’s why the colour of judas was accepted as the colour of the Byzantium dynasty. Apart from the dynasty, no one was allowed to wear judas colour. Moreover, when Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered Istanbul, it was also may. It means that although the people change in Istanbul, there were always judas trees, that’s why it can be told that Istanbul’s tree is judas.

Cypress

Cypress in Turkish ‘servi’ is changed due to the wrong pronunciation into ‘selvi’. The cypress is planted on the graves so that it prevents the bad smell of the body while it decomposes. It lives so long that the oldest tree in the world with the height of 112.7 m (which is equal to a 30-floor- building) is a cypress.

Cypress which is accepted as the oldest tree in Istanbul, is located in the garden of Sümbül Efendi Mosque in Koca Mustafa Paşa.

It has different usages of cypress in the history. For instance, Phoenician used to make ship while it was planted as dowry in Roman Empire. In Byzantium Empire, there were forests called cypress forests. What’s more, in the Ottoman times, cypress is known as ‘Life Tree’. Craftspeople used to use this pattern on chine, carpets and fountains. In Islam, cypress shows the solidarity and community. In the graves, this pattern is used as ‘Life Tree’.

Trees of Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the most important metropolises in the world. There are so many reasons for this specialty. And one of these specialties is that Istanbul is a green metropolis. It has so many green areas that it is the 5th green metropolis all over the world.

The trees which can inhabit naturally, are the witnesses of the history. Since Istanbul has a great history, there are some many stories that show the connection between the events and the trees in Istanbul.

In Istanbul so many tree species have some stories to tell us. Maybe it is the time to listen to them. I'm curious about their past, their role in the history, etc. That's why I created this blog and I'd like to get some attention by this blog. So that, trees are saved from being destroyed and people, including me, will be aware of these beautiful living things.