çam

Çam is the Turkish term for pine, referring to evergreen trees of the genus Pinus in the family Pinaceae, as well as to pine wood and pine forests. In Turkey, çam forests are widespread across various regions. Native species include Pinus brutia (Calabrian pine) and Pinus nigra (black pine), with Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) and Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) occurring in parts of the country. Pinus pinea (stone pine) is cultivated for its edible nuts, known locally as çam fıstığı.

Pines are typically evergreen conifers characterized by needle-like leaves grouped in bundles and woody cones. They occur in a range of habitats from Mediterranean coasts to montane zones, often on well-drained or rocky soils. Many species are adapted to dry conditions and periodic wildfires.

Uses include timber for construction and furniture, resin and turpentine production, and nourishing pine nuts. Pine forests also provide ecological functions, such as soil stabilization, biodiversity support, and protection from erosion, while serving as important components of rural economies and landscape.

Conservation concerns in Turkey include deforestation, land-use change, pests such as bark beetles, and climate-change impacts. Sustainable management and reforeestation programs aim to maintain çam forests and their ecological and economic roles.