SOLUTION SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PROBLEMS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE MONUMENTAL PLANE TREES IN BURSA HANLAR REGION, WHİCH IS ON THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST

Monumental Monumental trees are our immovable living natural assets and cultural heritage that connects the past with the present, the present and the future. Various regulations regarding the protection of monumental trees are included in the Law No. 2863 on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets, the Regulation on the Procedures and Principles Regarding the Determination, Registration and Approval of Protected Areas, and the Principle Decision No. 110 of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. However, despite all these legal protection measures, the sustainability of this living cultural heritage is at risk due to intense anthropogenic pressures. The aim of this study is to determine the current status and problems of the monumental plane trees within the borders of Bursa Hanlar region, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, to compare them with the situations they should be, to reveal the difference between the two and to propose solutions to the problems experienced by these trees for their sustainability. In the study, the existing height, diameter, circumference, root collar diameter and crown width of the monumental plane trees were measured, the living area left to the monument tree and the characteristics of this area were determined, and the problems that endanger the life of the monument tree were investigated. The required height and crown diameter measurements were calculated according to the current height and age of the trees. It has been determined that 95 percent of the monumental trees have insufficient root area and the crown form and natural branching shape are deteriorated due to deep pruning. It has been determined that 50 percent of them have cavities and rots on their trunks, 45% of them have soil compaction problems due to laying/concrete ground formation in the root area and intense recreational use, and 90% of them have branch drying due to adverse conditions and neglect. These problems negatively affect the health and size of monumental plane trees. Due to the problems they have experienced, it has been observed that there are differences between the existing and required dimensions. In order to eliminate the problems that cause these differences and to ensure their sustainability, it is recommended to apply special care and rehabilitation for monumental trees, to protect these trees with more stringent measures such as structural monuments, to separate the necessary habitats for monumental trees and not to enter these habitats in any way. This study is an original, practical study that will contribute to science and Bursa in terms of revealing the problems of monumental trees in the heritage list of a region on the UNESCO World Heritage List and offering solutions for their sustainability.