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'''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.

Contents

Botany

History, symbolism and uses

Regional significance

Parks and Gardens

Image gallery

References and external links

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

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

The importance of the Cedar of Lebanon to the various civilizations is conveyed through its uses. The trees were used in ancient times by the Phoenicians to build their trade and military ships, as well as their 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 also used to burn 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 used to burn Lebanese cedar wood on the Mount of Olives to announce the beginning of the new year. Kings of neighboring and distant countries asked for this wood to build their religious and civil constructs, the most famous of which are King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and David's and Solomon's Palaces. In addition it was used by Romans, Greeks, Persians, Assyrians and Babylonians.

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 now 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 also taking place in Turkey, where about 30,000 hectares of cedar are planted annually.

Parks and Gardens

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

Image gallery

References and external links

★ History of the Cedars

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★ 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''