ANATOLIAN TREES

This month, we continue our special blog chasing the tree on every continent with Olive, Cypress, Beech and Sweetgum trees native to Anatolia.

Olive, the Gift of the Mediterranean

Called as Olea Europaea in Latin, this tree is known as Olive. A species belonging to the tree family Oleaceae, Olive is a tree species endemic to the Mediterranean climate.

This tree can grow up to 10 meters in height and has a shrub form, and keeps its green leaves on it all year long.

Despite its slow and laborious growth, the Olive tree is a long-lived tree and can live for about 2000 years.

Tall and Elegant Cypress

A species belonging to the family Cupressaceae, the Cypress tree is called as Cupressus Sempervirens in Latin. The Cypress tree attracts attention especially with its long height and dark-green leafy texture. Having an evergreen appearance throughout the year, the Cypress tree bears resin-scented cones resembling to a small soccer ball.

It has a thin, long and elegant appearance with its dense branches expanding upwards from its trunk and towards the sky. Cypress trees can grow up to 20-30 meters in height and live for 600-700 years despite the harsh conditions of the seasons.

Oxygen Source Beech

A species belonging to the family Castanea, the Beech tree is known as “Fagus” in Latin. The Beech that is a wild tree species shedding its leaves in winter naturally grows in the Anatolian region. The Beech tree that can live for about 700 years thanks to its durable structure is a slow-growing tree.

Allowing people to breathe healthily thanks to the high level of oxygen that they release to the nature, the Breech tree also offers many benefits with its branches, bark and leaves. The tea derived from the bark of the tree is effective in the removal of toxins from the body and weight loss.

The Source of Healing Sweetgum

A species belonging to the tree family Altingiaceae, the Sweetgum tree is known as “Liquidambar” in Latin. The Sweetgum tree can grow up to 25-40 meters in height and is a deciduous tree with thick branches and wide crown. Resembling a plane tree thanks to these physical properties, the Sweetgum tree also has a bark darkening with age and deeply-cracked appearance.

The resin released from the trunk of the Sweetgum tree is used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Also available for use as a medicine in traditional treatment methods, the Sweetgum tree lives for about 300 years.

CHASING THE TREE THE ARCHITECT: GEOFFREY BAWA
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