Many iconic landscapes in Istanbul have been formed by centuries-old trees. Among them, the historic trees of Istanbul stand out as true living monuments. Some gave shade to the caravan paths of the Ottoman Empire, while others defined imperial gardens. Today, these remarkable trees still shape the city’s unique identity.
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Why Historic Trees of Istanbul Define the City
Trees have always been an essential element of Istanbul‘s tapestry, living side-by-side with Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, imperial palaces, villages, and the crowded caravan trails. Trees are an integral part of Istanbul, which goes beyond mere decoration and combines with everyday life.
In some of the most valuable sites of Istanbul, unique trees have played a role in shaping the urban environment. Oriental planes provided shade for gatherings of people, cypress trees became an integral part of historical cemeteries, while trees from palace gardens have taken root throughout the city.
The legacy of nature lives on in present-day Istanbul, where hundreds of monumental trees form an integral part of neighborhood parks and coasts of the city.
Oriental Plane
The Oriental Plane (Platanus orientalis) has been at the heart of Istanbul for centuries, providing shade to traders, travelers, and believers long before the advent of modern parks. As one of the most remarkable historic trees of Istanbul, the Ottomans planted these plane trees near mosques, külliyes, fountains, and village squares, using them as natural gathering places.
Many of these giant trees still survive today. Their distinctive mottled bark, massive trunks, and broad canopies continue to define some of the city’s most historic districts, creating a living connection between present-day Istanbul and its past.
There are 554 monumental trees listed in Istanbul from 46 different species. The most common one is the Oriental Plane, which can be seen especially in Beykoz, Üsküdar, and Sarıyer.
The Symbolism of the Oriental Plane
The Oriental Plane (Platanus orientalis) has been the symbol of power, wisdom, and longevity since ages. The ancient Greek mythology talks about a great plane tree at Aulis where the Greek army gathered to sail for Troy before the Trojan War—the oldest recorded mention of the species.
The Orient Plane was also a symbol of education and endurance in the ancient times. Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician, is supposed to have taught philosophy under a big plane tree at Kos. This tree came to be associated with knowledge and meeting places in the eastern Mediterranean.
During the Ottoman era, the Orient Plane served as both a practical landmark and a powerful symbol of the empire, representing endurance and longevity as the Osmanlı Çınarı.
The Ottomans planted these trees near mosques, bazaars, and squares, using their broad crowns to gather people together in shaded social hubs known as Çınaraltı (“under the plane tree”). For the full experience, enjoy a cup of Turkish tea beneath one of these historic canopy spaces.
Judas Tree
The Judas Tree, also called Erguvan in Turkey, is an iconic representation of Istanbul itself. Every year, the flowering tree covers the slopes of the Bosphorus in colorful flowers and becomes one of the best natural sights of Istanbul.
Historically, the connection of this tree to royalty can be traced back to Byzantium when the deep purple color of flowers resembled the color of special dye that could only be worn by emperors and their families. People even called children born into royal families Porphyrogennetos, meaning “born in the purple“, signifying both birthright and royalty.
During the Ottoman period, Erguvan was considered a symbol of elegance and rebirth. From the 15th century onwards, every time the tree was in bloom, there would be spring parties and Erguvan celebrations all around the Bosphorus and Bursa.
According to Christian mythology, Judas Iscariot hanged himself on this tree after betraying Jesus Christ, which is why the tree is called the Judas Tree in English.
Istanbul’s Judeo-Christian Heritage Tour
Silver Linden
The Silver Linden (Tilia tomentosa) is known in Turkey as Ihlamur and every summer scents some districts of Istanbul with a sweet and persistent smell. Visitors exploring the historic trees of Istanbul often encounter the fragrant Silver Linden in old imperial gardens.
This magnificent tree became very popular in Ottoman times; it was grown in palaces’ gardens and other green public spaces due to its attractiveness and cooling shadow. On warm days, the tiny yellow flowers fill the air with fragrances thus becoming a unique ornament of summer.
Long before people built the pavilions, splendid Silver Linden trees filled the valley—a detail that the French poet Alphonse de Lamartine noted during his visit in the mid-19th century. This abundance of marvelous lindens gave the area its name.
Ihlamur Pavillion
Story of Ihlamur
In Turkish, the word ıhlamur means not only the tree but also herbal tea from the blossoms of this plant. Linden flowers dried in households have been used for brewing tea for centuries in Anatolia which makes the Silver Linden well-known and loved by locals.
Today, you can still enjoy a cup of traditional linden tea at many tea houses and cafés across Istanbul, especially during the colder months.
Furthermore, Silver Linden trees have a long symbolic history. The linden symbolized friendship, loyalty, and community; people considered cutting down a linden tree extremely rude. The villages usually met under the shade of a great linden, thus emphasizing that it is a tree that makes people unite.
Horse Chestnut
The Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is one of the most characteristic decorative trees of Istanbul. The big crown of the tree gives people shade in hot summer days, and the flowers on tall branches of the tree create beautiful spring spectacle of the streets and parks in Istanbul. Despite the similar name, the Horse Chestnut has nothing common with the sweet chestnut.
The Ottomans introduced the Horse Chestnut as a decorative tree, and it quickly gained popularity in palace gardens, public parks, and boulevards.
Evliya Çelebi, the 17th century traveller, described Istanbul as being covered by Horse Chestnuts so much that a squirrel would be able to move around the whole city not stepping on the ground because of branches of the tree.
Why Is It Called Horse Chestnut
The Turkish name of the tree, At Kestanesi, means “Horse Chestnut“. This name appeared due to the fact that in the Ottoman Empire horse stable keepers grinded the seeds of the tree and used it as an additive to feed their horses who had problems with coughing, wheezing, etc.
Another old tradition says that the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Ahmed I, presented saplings of Horse Chestnuts to the French royal court and, in such way, introduced the tree to France. The species later became one of the signature trees lining the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Magnolia
Southern Magnolia is a beautiful tree which has shiny green foliage and very sweet-scented and large flowers. Although it originates in the southern United States, it started flourishing in Istanbul during the 19th century when Ottoman gardens became influenced by European styles.
Ottoman gardeners used magnolias to decorate imperial palaces, seaside villas, and summer pavilions. Its beautiful and huge flowers and evergreen foliage made it perfect for landscaping gardens of the late Ottomans.
A Symbol of Grace
Their flowers are impressive, elegant and at the same time quite delicate. They easily bruise and fade after the slightest touch. Due to their fragility, magnolias became symbols of elegance and grace, of a love that should not be touched but rather admired.
In the classical Turkish song “ Manolyam” Zeki Müren calls his beloved a magnolia, describing his love so delicate that he can admire it only from distance without touching it. The delicate petals of this flower symbolized someone so beautiful and delicate that could not be damaged.
This image inspired many generations of Turkish artists. İbrahim Çallı, Feyhaman Duran, and Namık İsmail often used magnolias in their paintings, giving expression to elegance and emotions through the use of this flower.
Stone Pine
The Stone Pine (Pinus pinea), also known as the umbrella pine, is one of the defining historical trees of the Mediterranean. Its tall trunk and broad, rounded canopy have shaped the landscapes of the region for thousands of years, and Istanbul is no exception.
Unlike many ornamental trees, the Stone Pine has long served both practical and cultural purposes. Few trees have left such a lasting mark on the landscapes of the Mediterranean.
Excavations at Yenikapı uncovered Stone Pine cones, seeds, and timber aboard Byzantine ships, showing that this iconic Mediterranean tree has been part of Istanbul’s story for more than a thousand years.
From Roman Roads to Ottoman Poetry
The distinctive umbrella shape of the Stone Pine made it one of the most useful trees of the ancient Mediterranean. The Romans planted these trees along important roads across Anatolia, where their wide canopies offered shade to soldiers, merchants, and travelers.
In later centuries, its edible pine nuts became a prized ingredient in Ottoman cooking, adding their rich, buttery flavor to stuffed vegetables, rice pilaf, and many traditional dishes that are still enjoyed throughout Turkey today.
Mediterranean Cypress
Mediterranean Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), named as “Servi” in Turkey, is one of the trees which define Istanbul. Their towering and slender shapes can be easily observed in historical graveyards, mosques’ courtyards and on the hills all around Istanbul. There are not many other trees that could be as Istanbulic as cypress trees.
The phrase “servi boylu” (“as tall and graceful as a cypress”) is one of the biggest compliments for elegance in the Turkish language.
The Tree of Eternity
The centuried cypresses of Topkapi Palace‘s Second Courtyard symbolized the sultan’s absolute justice and the unshakable strength of the state. Ottoman artisans also wove this timeless symbol of power, nobility, and longevity into imperial fabrics and the magnificent caftans of the sultans.
Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations preserved this symbolism. As the cypress trees do not lose their leaves in any season and always grow towards the heaven, people associated them with eternal life and the passage of the soul into heaven.
According to Evliya Çelebi, after conquering Constantinople Sultan Mehmed II (Fatih Sultan Mehmed) liked the hills of Hasköy so much that he ordered planting 12,000 cypress trees there. Those groves were the first example of Ottoman landscaping in the conquered city.
Oak
The strong, long-lived, and deeply-rooted oak tree was a perfect choice for such a symbol throughout the centuries. The dense timber, the ability to grow slowly, and withstand storms allowed oak to become an embodiment of strength and durability among many different nations. However, in and around Istanbul, oak did not limit itself to being a symbol; it became a part of history of the city.
At the moment, there are several species of oaks thriving in the northern forests of Istanbul. Belgrad Forest is a good example of a place where oaks are still dominating the list of native trees of the region. A walk under the branches of such trees provides the opportunity to observe the forests which used to spread far outside the borders of the developing city.
The Timber That Built Empires
Before the times when steamships started moving along the Bosphorus Strait, oak timber helped build the empires and link Constantinople with different harbors located around the Mediterranean.
The same custom was preserved by the Ottoman Empire, where oak timber was the most valuable one for the construction of their warships. Workers delivered countless amounts of oak timber to the Tersâne-i Âmire to build fleets that expanded the empire’s power across the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Many Byzantine harbor structures and ships built in the 9th to 11th centuries were made of oak timber. Scientists suppose that much of it was gathered from Belgrad Forest and other forests of Istanbul.
Where to See These Trees in Istanbul
| Tree | Best Places to See | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| Oriental Plane | Topkapı Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque, Gülhane Park, Bosphorus neighborhoods, Beykoz | Year-round |
| Judas Tree (Erguvan) | Bosphorus, Emirgan Grove, Fethipasa Grove | April |
| Silver Linden | Ihlamur Pavilion, Yıldız Park, Dolmabahçe Palace, Beykoz Mecidiye Pavilion, Macka Park | June to early July |
| Horse Chestnut | Yıldız Park, Gülhane Park, Istanbul University, Big Camlica Grove | May |
| Southern Magnolia | Baltalimanı, Emirgan Grove, Yıldız Park, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Moda | April to June |
| Stone Pine | Gülhane Park, Princes’ Islands, Bosphorus parks, Atatürk Arboretum | Year-round |
| Mediterranean Cypress | Karacaahmet Cemetery, Eyüp Cemetery, Rumeli Fortress, Topkapi Palace | Year-round |
| Oak | Belgrad Forest, Atatürk Arboretum | Autumn |
FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions
Explore Istanbul's Living Heritage with The Other Tour
Trees have always been more than just scenery in Istanbul; they are living witnesses to the city’s past. Ultimately, Istanbul’s history lives not only in stone, but in the green monuments that have watched it grow for centuries.
Come see these timeless giants for yourself and experience the city’s hidden roots firsthand.
