Veyisoğlu Village Monumental Tree is an approximately 500-year-old Valonia oak located in Kocameşe Locality, 2 kilometers from Gökçebey; with a height of 18 meters and a crown width of 21 meters, it is one of Zonguldak's registered oldest monumental trees, and admission is free.
In Veyisoğlu Village, part of Gökçebey district in Zonguldak, a Valonia oak (Quercus ithaburensis) stands in a place called Kocameşe Locality. It is estimated to be approximately 500 years old. With a height of 18 meters, a diameter of 2.10 meters, and a crown width of 21 meters, it is one of the most monumental trees in the region. It has been officially granted Monumental Tree status by the Karabük Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage.
The tree is within the village, right in the middle of daily life. The Gökçebey Forest Management Chiefdom and the Forest Nursery Directorate have placed an informational sign and simple seating-walking arrangements around it. Do not expect extensive tourist infrastructure; visitors usually add this as a stop on a nature walk route or simply come to the village just to see that oak.
It is only 2 kilometers from Gökçebey center and 50 kilometers from Zonguldak. It is easily accessible by car via the village road, and parking is available right next to the tree.
Guide's Note
When to Visit
Spring and summer months are when the tree is most leafy and its crown is most lush. Access is also possible in winter, but keep in mind that the village road conditions may vary depending on snow. Morning hours are preferable for both light and tranquility; there is little vehicle traffic in the village.
How to Get There
From Zonguldak to Gökçebey by road is approximately 50 kilometers. From Gökçebey district center, there is a short 2-kilometer road to Veyisoğlu Village. This part can be covered by private car or village minibus. The tree is in the Kocameşe Locality of the village, marked with signs.
How Much Time to Allocate
Seeing the tree itself and taking photos takes 20-30 minutes. However, most visitors combine this with other natural spots around Gökçebey, in which case it can turn into a half-day trip plan.
Suggested Route
Visiting Gökçebey center, having lunch there, and then moving on to Veyisoğlu Village is a practical sequence. After seeing the tree, a short walk within the village is sufficient to experience the rural texture of the region.
Things to Pay Attention To
The tree is 500 years old and a registered natural heritage. Actions that could cause damage, such as climbing the trunk or hanging from branches, should be avoided. Since the landscaping is kept simple, access with wheelchairs or strollers might be challenging, as the ground is unpaved and uneven.
Photo Spots
Those who want to fit the entire tree into the frame should prefer a wide-angle lens, as its crown diameter reaches 21 meters. To show the thickness of the trunk (2.10 meters in diameter), having someone stand next to it to provide scale is effective.
The Story of the Tree
This tree, a species of Valonia oak (Quercus ithaburensis), is estimated to be approximately 500 years old based on evaluations. It has been registered as a Monumental Tree by the Karabük Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage and is considered one of the oldest officially recorded natural assets in Zonguldak.
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