Özet:

Monument trees have been divided into four groups : Historic monumental trees, Folk monumental trees, Mystical monumental trees, Dimensional Monumental trees. Monumental trees are trees with natural life that have been considered as a means which will provide cultural communication for the future as well as between past and present. Therefore, it is important to transfer the Monumental trees to the next generations that they should be recorded. It has been observed that they have great influences for economic and cultural life of society in the historical process, from ancient times until today. It has been concerned that since ancient times they have been considered as an indicator of fame, honor, ore, wealth and sublime and they have been the subject of mythology and epics; also they have been used on flags of some states in motifs, used as a symbol of reconciliation between states. Monumental trees are known as respected natural heritage due to their magnificent view for the people living in the area. Especially the case that they contribute to the place where they live in terms of rural tourism reveals their importance. These trees paid the special attention in terms of both maintenance/repair and protection/control could not be protected by legislation in real terms. In terms of exploration, registration and protection they hinge on Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. But they hinge on Metropolitan Municipalities in respect to maintenance and repair. And this legal status causes some contradictions. Therefore, monumental trees cannot be protected by legal establishments or institutions in the undeveloped societies. This study aims to reveal the relations between rural tourism and monumental trees, and legal and operational contradictions in protection-utilization of monumental trees.

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