Native to the Taurus Mountains of Turkey and other high-elevation areas of the eastern Mediterranean.
Slow-growing, evergreen conifer reaching a mature height of 60' or more.
Begins as a pyramidal shape in it youth before becoming denser and flatter.
Highly winter-hardy and stately, making it low maintenance but difficult to transport.
Small, clustered needles are pale green, sharp and fragrant.
Male cones (or fruits) are small and dense, while male cones are long, thin, and flower-shaped.
Requires full sun, but thrive in nearly all soil textures, pHs, and moisture conditions
Hardiness zones 5-7
Sentimental and Symbolic Value
In nearly all Middle Eastern cultures, the Cedar of Lebanon is a symbol of power and divinity thanks to its grand statue and exceptional strength and endurance. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, an epic poem from Mesopotamia dating to roughly 2100 BC, heros Gilgamesh and Enkidu travel to the Cedar Forest to cut down some of its wood and use it to construct their imperial city. The Cedar Forest, said to be in Lebanon, was the earthly realm of the Sumerian gods which was fought over for generations by gods and men. "‘On the Mountain the cedars uplift their abundance. Their shadow is beautiful, is all delight. Thistles hide under them, and the dark prick-thorn, sweet-smelling flowers hide under the cedars...in all directions, ten thousand miles stretches that forest".
The Cedar of Lebanon is a very prominent symbol in the Bible, where it is represented as strong, beautiful, grand, and having a somewhat mystical or supernatural quality. King Solomon (970-931 BC) ordered the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem to be made out of Lebanon cedar timber, and various prophets and psalms use it as an allegorical device to represent God's strength and justice, salvation, and righteousness.
The Cedar of Lebanon is the most prominent symbol of the country of Lebanon, appearing on its arms and flag. Maronite Catholics, the largest Christian denomination in Lebanon, use the cedar as their symbol. The proclamation of the State of Greater Lebanon in 1920 states that "[a]n evergreen cedar is like a young nation despite a cruel past. Although oppressed, never conquered, the cedar is its rallying. By the union, it will break all attacks".
Specimen photographed at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Part of the Ornamental Woody Plants assignment (11/10/2021).
Plant History and Etymology
The genus name Cedrus comes from the Ancient Greek κέδρος (kédros), referring to junipers and juniper-like trees, while libani refers to Mount Lebanon, a mountain range in northeastern Lebanon. The name "lebanon" derives from the Semitic root ل ب ن (L-B-N), meaning "white". The great cedar forests of the ancient Middle East were felled by Mesopotamians, Phoenicians, Egyptians and Israelites in the 2nd and 1st millenia BC, to be used for shipbuilding, homes and furniture, and some of the greatest construction projects in the ancient world including Solomon's Temple and the Phoenician naval fleet. The cedar forests remained some of the Middle East's most prized and fought-over natural resources, being sought after and exploited by nearly every historical power which ruled over them. During the Levantine theater of World War I, they were cut extensively for railroad fuel. Cedar oil, pitch, sawdust, and other parts of the tree have long been used for medicinal purposes. It was introduced outside of the Middle East in the 1630s, when it began to be planted in European gardens asan ornamental.
Design Considerations
A giant and stately tree, it makes a great specimen for large areas such as large gardens and parks. Its needles range in color from blueish green to gray to black and are highly fragrant. The cones are also attractive, persisting from spring through the fall. It is fairly low maintenance, requiring little to no pruning and being easy to grow. A few major concerns about planting this tree are that the tree is highly flammable, the cone and needle debris is messy, and that it is potentially allergenic.
Sources
“Cedrus Libani (Cedar of Lebanon, Lebanon Cedar) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.” 2021. Ncsu.edu. 2021. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cedrus-libani/.
Wikipedia Contributors. 2021. “Cedrus Libani.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. November 12, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedrus_libani.
Daily. 2010. “HISTORY in YOUR GARDEN: Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus Libani).” Mail Online. Daily Mail. January 15, 2010. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/gardening/article-1243198/HISTORY-IN-YOUR-GARDEN-Cedar-Lebanon-Cedrus-libani.html.
KAIROUZ, Laura. 2014. “Liban.” L’Orient-Le Jour. lorientlejour.com. July 17, 2014. https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/876563/une-escapade-a-becharre-refuge-des-maronites-persecutes-apres-la-chute-de-byzance.html.
“Cedars of Lebanon History.” 2021. Habeeb.com. 2021. http://www.habeeb.com/cedar.of.lebanon/cedar.of.lebanon.info.html.
“Cedrus Libani (Cedar of Lebanon) Description.” 2018. Conifers.org. 2018. https://www.conifers.org/pi/Cedrus_libani.php.
“The Holy Tale behind the Cedars of Lebanon.” 2018. Thorogood. July 19, 2018. https://www.thorogood.co.uk/the-holy-tale-behind-the-cedars-of-lebanon/.