Atlas cedar

Lebanon Cedar
Lebanon Cedar in the Forest of the Cedars of God
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Pinophyta Class: Pinopsida Order: Pinales Family: Pinaceae Genus: Cedrus Species: C. libani
Binomial name
Cedrus libani A. Rich.

Cedrus libani, commonly known as the Lebanon Cedar or Cedar of Lebanon, is a coniferous tree native to the mountains of the Mediterranean region, in Lebanon, western Syria and south central Turkey; varieties of it (some treated as separate species by some authors) occur in southwest Turkey, Cyprus, and the Atlas Mountains in Algeria and Morocco in northwest Africa. It has become extinct in some of this original range, although replanting is taking place in some areas.

Botany

There are four well-established sub-species or closely related species:

• Cedrus libani var. libani (Lebanon Cedar): Lebanon, western Syria and south central Turkey
• Cedrus libani var. stenocoma (Turkish Cedar): southwest Turkey
• Cedrus libani var. brevifolia (Cyprus Cedar): Cyprus
• Cedrus libani var. atlantica (Atlas Cedar): Atlas Mountains

Lebanon Cedar foliage

In Lebanon and Turkey it is most abundant at altitudes of 1,000-2,000 m, where it forms pure forests or mixed forests with Cilicican Fir (Abies cilicica), European Black Pine (Pinus nigra), and several juniper (Juniperus) species. In Cyprus, it occurs at 1,000-1,525 m (reaching the summit of Mount Paphos).

The tree is an evergreen in the family Pinaceae, with a height of up to 40 m, and a conic (when young) to broadly tabular shape. The shoots are dimorphic, with long shoots and short shoots. The leaves are needle-like, spaced out on the long shoots, and in clusters of 15-45 on the short shoots; they are 5-30 mm in length, quadrangular in cross-section, and vary from green to glaucous blue-green with stomatal bands on all four sides.

The cones are produced often every second year, and mature in 12 months from pollination; mature cones in October are 8-11 cm long and 4-6 cm wide, resinous, and break up to release the winged seeds through the winter. The seeds are 15 mm long, 6 mm broad, with a triangular wing 20-25 mm long. First cone production typically begins when the tree is 20-40 years old.

History, symbolism and uses

Cedar of Lebanon was important to various civilizations. The trees were used by the ancient Phoenicians for building trade and military ships, as well as houses and temples. The Egyptians used its resin for mummification, and its sawdust was found in the pharaoh's tombs. The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh designates the cedar groves of Lebanon as the dwelling of the gods to where Gilgamesh ventured. They once burned cedar in their ceremonies. Jewish priests were ordered by Moses to use the bark of the Lebanon Cedar in circumcision and treatment of leprosy. According to the Talmud, Jews once burned Lebanese cedar wood on the Mount of Olives to announce the the new year. Kings far and near requested the wood for religious and civil constructs, the most famous of which are King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and David's and Solomon's Palaces. It was also used by Romans, Greeks, Persians, Assyrians and Babylonians.

The Lebanese flag, with the Lebanon Cedar in the middle

Regional significance

The Lebanon Cedar has always been the national emblem of Lebanon, and it is seen on the Lebanese Flag. It is also the main symbol of the Cedar Revolution, along with many political parties in Lebanon.

As a result of long exploitation, very few old trees remain in Lebanon, but there is now an active program to conserve and regenerate the forests. The forest of the Cedars of God in Bsharri and the Barouk forest are national reserves in Lebanon. Extensive replanting is taking place in Turkey, where approximately 30,000 hectares of cedar are planted annually.

Parks and Gardens

The Lebanon Cedar is a widely planted ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, often being planted in avenues, and as focal point trees in large lawns.

Image gallery

Atlas Cedar Cedrus libani var. atlantica	A Lebanon Cedar planted at Longwood Gardens	Cedrus libani var. atlantica 'Glauca' Tree	Cedrus libani var. atlantica 'Glauca' Branches
Cedrus libani var. atlantica 'Glauca' Foliage	Cedrus libani var. atlantica , Domaine de Mariemont, Belgium

References and external links

• History of the Cedars
• Conifer Specialist Group (1998). Cedrus libani. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
• Cedrus libani (TSN 183406). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on September 25 2006.
• Talhouk, S. N. & Zurayk, S. 2003. Conifer conservation in Lebanon. Acta Hort. 615: 411-414.
• Semaan, M. & Haber, R. 2003. In situ conservation on Cedrus libani in Lebanon. Acta Hort. 615: 415-417.
• Cedars of Lebanon Nature Reserve
• Lebanon, the Cedars' Land
• Arboretum de Villardebelle - photos of Cedrus libani in Turkey
• Arboretum de Villardebelle - photos of Cedrus libani cones (scroll to foot of page)
• Gymnosperm Database - Cedrus libani

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Cedrus libani

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