Cedar of Lebanon
Species information Scientific Name: Cedrus libani A.Rich. Family: Pinaceae Conservation Status: Least Concern Native to: Mediterranean Habitat Type: Mountainous terrain
Description: The Cedar of Lebanon is a majestic evergreen tree of mountainous habitats that can grow up to 131ft (40m) in height. It usually has a substantial single trunk with horizontal branches. When young however, the crown of the tree is cone-shaped. The bark is gray-brown and becomes deeply fissured with age. The tree produces two types of branches – long (framework of the branches) and short shoots (leaf and cone bearing). Its needle-like leaves measure about 1.4” (3.5cm) and grow either in tufts (short shoots) or are widely spaced (long shoots). Cedar of Lebanon is a monoecious plant – both male and female cones grow on the same tree, upright on short shoots. Female cones turn from green to brown at maturity and bear two-winged seeds.
Interesting facts: It is the national emblem of Lebanon. Cedar of Lebanon occurs naturally in Lebanon, Turkey and Syria, but thanks to its immense popularity, it has been used as an ornamental tree in regions far away from its natural range. Although the Cedar of Lebanon is not globally threatened, its occurrence in Lebanon has been largely restricted due to centuries of logging, goat grazing, and urban development pressure.
Ethnobotany: Its wood has been used as timber for centuries, for example to build the temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. Moreover, its resin, thanks to its insect and fungi resistant qualities, was used for mummification in Egypt.
Markéta Doubnerová (2013) College of the Atlantic: Arboretum of Eden Page 1