Common Name: Cedar Of Lebanon

General Information

Cedrus libani is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 metres tall.
It has edible, medicinal and miscellaneous uses. There are several named varieties selected for their ornamental value[].
The population of Cedrus libani is severely fragmented, particularly the Syrian and Lebanese subpopulations. Both the area of occupancy and the quality of habitat are in decline, and there is a loss of mature individuals particularly in the areas outside of Cyprus due to a range of detrimental factors including: grazing by goats, urbanization, selective cutting, pest infestation and severe damage in some of the Lebanese forests due to winter sports. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

W. Asia - Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria

Habitat

Mixed evergreen and broadleaved forests, often forming pure stands; at elevations from 500 - 3,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cedrus libani is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant, so long as the new growth has been fully ripened by summer heat. It grows in areas that experience cool, moist winters, with abundant snow at the higher elevations of its range[, ]. Succeeds in warm dry areas with less than 400mm of rain a year, but also in areas with cool summers and up to 2,000m of rain[].
Thrives on most well-drained soils, being very tolerant of chalk, dry sites and of drought once it is established[, , , ]. Prefers a rich loam or a sandy clay in full sun[]. Very intolerant of atmospheric pollution[, ].
Small trees less than 50cm tall establish much quicker and better than taller trees, those more than 2 metres tall are difficult to establish[]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].
Fairly slow growing, trees rarely average more than 30cm increase in height per year[]. Trees can be very long lived, to 300 years or more[].
Small male cones are formed on the lower branches of trees, whilst the larger female cones are formed on higher branches[]. These female cones persist on the tree for 2 - 3 years before breaking up[].
Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[, ].
The trees have a broad canopy and tend to hold any falling snow. This can lead to branches being broken by the weight of snow[].

Edible Uses

A manna is obtained from the tree[, ]. No more details were given in the report.

Medicinal

The leaves and the wood are antiseptic and expectorant. They act to disinfect the respiratory tract[].

Other Uses

An oil similar to turpentine is obtained from the wood[, ].

An essential oil from the wood is used in perfumery[].

The wood is moderately hard, durable. It is used for construction, ship building etc[, , , ]. The wood is extremely durable and retains its delightful fragrance for many years[].

Propagation

Seed - collect the cones in winter and keep in a warm room until they open[]. Sow immediately in a cold frame[]. One report says that a short cold stratification of one month improves germination rates[]. Keep the seed pot moist, but be careful because the young seedlings are very prone to damp off, keep them well ventilated[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Give them some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors[].
Cuttings of terminal shoots can be tried in a frame in late autumn but they are very difficult[].