Tree Talk: The Cedars

Cedar trees belong to the pine families of trees. The biological name of this tree is Cedrus. They have needle like leaves and like all pine trees, they bear their seeds on scales clustered in cones. The cedar tree differs from various trees in the pine family, because of their four angled evergreen leaves borne on short side-branches.

The three trees within the Cedrus group are:
Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani), Deodar (Cedrus deodar) and Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica). The Atlas Cedar also has a variation called the Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’) which is a much more common variation.

There are other trees commonly known as cedars (eastern red, white, western red etc) but these are actually Thuja’s or Juniperus’. In this article we will not be looking at these.

Cedars are all, individually, very distinctive and beautiful trees. Though neither native nor deciduous they are remarkably popular. Of the three, the Cedar of Lebanon is probably the most striking with its pyramid shape and thick dark trunk. The Blue Atlas is a more common garden tree and has a very distinctive blue/silvery leaves.

Care of the Cedar:
As long as the Cedar is planted in the right place for its eventual size (30-70 meters) the tree needs very little care – fertilising once a year if you must, ensure it does not get water logged or is not in a area prone to flooding and if you must prune, do so in the spring before growth starts. Any damaged or dying branches must be removed with clean cuts – any rough cuts will eventually damage the tree. They are a very hardy bunch of trees but they are prone to Armillaria root rot, white fungal bark infections, discoloured foliage, etc. Excess watering and fertilizing can kill your cedar.

Uses:
Cedars are grown as ornamental plants mainly, in ancient times Cedar wood has been used to build ships, even for Alexander the Great. It is said the King Solomon’s temple was built with cedar wood. Cedar trees are also grown for their scented and decay resistant wood. Cedar wood and oils derived from it, can act as natural repellents to moths.

Mythology:
The Cedars of Lebanon are mentioned in the Bible over 70 times and used as symbols of the Messiah, and they were prized by historical figures such as Herod, Alexander, and Julius Caesar. They also have a mention in the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Osisris’ sarcophagus was said to have travelled down the Nile and rested in the trunk of a Cedar Tree in Lebanon. This tree was then said to be taken and used as a pillar to support a palace for the king of Byblos.

Local examples:
A very fine Cedar of Lebanon can be seen on Sheep Pen Lane in Steyning in a walled garden opposite the White Horse Pub. Further round the road to Mill Lane, in another walled garden is a very fine (yet smaller) Deodar. Both of these are clearly visible from the main roads.

One of the finest examples of the Cedar of Lebanon in this country can be found in Goodwood, planted in 1761 (along with many others) this survivor is storm damaged from the big storm of ’87 but is said to be magnificent!

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