Elbistan poplar tree reaches 300 years of age

A 250-to-300-year-old poplar tree in the Uzunmehmet Plateau of Elbistan, Kahramanmaraş, has become a significant landmark for locals and visitors. Standing approximately 25 to 30 meters tall, the massive tree is located in the Yalıntaş neighborhood.

Local resident Ali Bahçivan, 75, noted that while the exact date of the tree's planting is unknown, it has been passed down through generations. Historically, the tree's vast shade served as a resting place for large flocks of sheep, sometimes sheltering up to 1,500 animals at once.

Today, the tree continues to serve as a vital social and resting point. Situated at an altitude of approximately 1,950 meters, the area remains significantly cooler than nearby cities like Adana and Osmaniye, making the tree's shade a popular refuge for agricultural workers and travelers during the summer months.