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Introduction
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Cedar of Lebanon
Cedar of Lebanon
A grand tree planted in the parks and gardens of stately homes and mansions. It has a distinct shape with several trunks and clear horizontal layers in the foliage.
What other names does it have?
Generic name
Cedar
Latin name
Cedrus libani
Family name
Pine
Latin family name
Pinaceae
What type of tree is it?
Is it a broadleaf or conifer?
It is a conifer
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?
No, it is evergreen
Species description:
Average height
18-35m
Leaf
Description
The stiff needles have translucent tips. The needles are arranged in spirals around side shoots in rosettes of 10-60 needles.
Shape
Needle
Size
Around 2.5cm long
Colour
Dark green
Leaf stalk
No stalk
Leaf arrangement
In bunches
Flower, seed, and fruit
Type of flower
Catkin
Flowering season
Autumn
Tree/flower sex
Both sexes
Fruit colour
Green then purplish grey and finally brown when ripe
Type of seed body
Cone
Seeds dispersed by
Wind
Wildlife
Bark and twig
Bark description
Blackish-brown with closely spaced ridges and cracks
Twig Description
Brown with some fine down. The down is mainly found in the shallow grooves of the twig
What other trees are similar?
Can easily be confused with?
Other conifer species with needles- but they will be arranged in different ways
Where is it usually found?
Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?
Non-native - commonly planted
Where is its natural range?
Primarily the Lebanon but also the eastern coast of the Mediterranean and to Asia Minor
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?
Originally a mountain species but was widely planted in a variety of conditions in the eighteenth century
What is its British conservation status?
Frequent
Additional information
Human uses of tree and timber
The Lebanon is the original stronghold for this tree, hence its name. However its frequency is much reduced there as it has been felled for the timber which is said to be insect repellant. In the UK, it was 'the' accessory for every stately home and mansion from the 1740s onwards. The great height and size of the tree was its key selling feature. However it is not commonly planted any more.
Illustrations supplied by
Collins
BritishTrees
©2012 The Woodland Trust