TRThe article discusses the decline of Istanbul's historic plane trees, known as çınar, along Çırağan Avenue due to an irreversible fungal disease called plane canker. These trees, some over 200 years old, have stood for generations and witnessed significant historical developments in Istanbul. The disease, first identified in the U.S. in the 1920s, has now spread globally, including to Istanbul. Professor Doğanay Tolunay attributes the issue primarily to the Ceratocystis platani fungus, though he notes that municipal actions like heavy pruning or improper care were not the direct cause. Instead, factors such as lack of awareness, failure to follow quarantine protocols, and improper handling of pruning waste may have contributed to the spread of the disease. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has stated it is removing dead trees and implementing preventive measures to ensure public safety, acknowledging that there is currently no known cure for the disease.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a natural phenomenon affecting urban infrastructure without overtly taking a political stance. While the topic involves public policy related to city management and environmental health, the framing remains neutral, citing scientific opinions and official stanz
