Diseased Trees in Beşiktaş Are Renewed

İBB protects the environment by renewing the cancerous trees on the Beşiktaş coast. The last phase of the study, which prevents the disease from spreading to healthy trees, has started. Over 100 new trees are being planted in the area.

The trees in the city, which develop in much more difficult conditions than the trees in natural environments, are entrusted to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM). Damaged historical trees due to infrastructure and superstructure works, soil compaction, salting of roads against icing or vandalism are kept alive or renewed with serious control and treatment processes.

The cancer disease (Ceratocystis platani -Walter Engelbrecht & Harrington), which has been seen on trees in Beşiktaş in recent years, is very effective on sycamore species. Platanus Occidentalis disease, which is also seen in that region, has a very durable structure and a single infection site caused by these reasons can reach 2-2.5 m in a year. Cancer can kill a tree with a diameter of 30-40 cm in 2-3 years, and a large, strong tree in 4-7 years.

Cancer diseases that occur on trees can spread to other trees and negatively affect the protection of green areas, while heavy thick branches with bruises in windy and rainy weather can pose a risk for the environment. In the last year, 213 trees have been knocked down or broken due to weather conditions on the European side alone.

İBB Park, Garden and Green Areas Department continues its renovation works due to cancer seen in some of the trees on Dolmabahçe and Çırağan streets along Beşiktaş beach. Of the 39 diseased trees identified in the area, 18 were replaced with 20-year-old young trees.

The remaining 21 diseased trees will be replaced by the works carried out today and on Sunday (5 March - 6 March). Sick trees are cut down to eliminate the risk of spreading, and the diseased soil is removed along with the tree root. Platanus occidentalis (western plane tree) is planted in their place.

In accordance with the decision of the IMM Transportation and Traffic Commission (UTK), road narrowing was made on Dolmabahçe and Çırağan streets during the work. Drivers and pedestrians are informed with direction signs and banners. 50 newly grown trees have been planted on the route so far, and when the work is completed, the number of new trees will exceed 100.