Cedrus atlantica seeds - Atlas cedar

Cedrus atlantica is commonly known as the Atlas Cedar, owing to its geographical origin. It is a large-growing conifer that grows relatively quickly under favourable conditions. Over time, it develops a truly venerable silhouette. Its trunk, with an impressive diameter, covered in beautiful grey-brown bark, and its dark foliage, tinged slightly with blue-green, contribute to its majestic appearance. Capable of adapting to most well-drained soils, even calcareous ones, it withstands urban pollution well. A tree best suited to large plots.

Cedar is a member of the Pinaceae family. There are only four species of Cedars, two of which are even considered by some botanists to be subspecies of the Cedar of Lebanon. This is the case for the Atlas Cedar, classified by some as Cedrus libani var. atlantica. However, it differs from this species in several morphological characteristics that justify its status as a distinct species. It is native to North Africa, primarily the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco, but also Algeria, where it is found at altitudes of 1200 to 2600 m. Discovered in 1826 by an English traveller (Philip Barker Webb), it was propagated from 1839 by the French nurseryman Sénéclauze. In 1862, the Water and Forestry Department used it to reforest various Mediterranean mountain areas, including the southern slopes of Mont Ventoux, where it has regenerated naturally ever since. Its growth is moderate to fast under good conditions, reaching a respectable height of 12 m in 20 years of planting. Its habit remains distinctly pyramidal for a longer period than the Cedar of Lebanon, lasting between 40 and 50 years, before broadening without adopting the latter's table-like silhouette. Its massive trunk supports strong branches that rise obliquely, then spread almost horizontally as they age. Capable of living for 500 years or more, a mature specimen can reach heights of 35 to 40 m, with a trunk diameter of 1 m. Its needles are shorter than those of C. libani, measuring only 2 to 2.5 cm long, and their colour is a dark green with a bluish tint. They are arranged spirally on long shoots or clustered in rosettes at the tips of short shoots. Being a monoecious species, some branches bear male inflorescences, while others bear female cones. The males appear in late June at the centre of a leaf rosette and release their pollen grains upon ripening in September. The female inflorescence, initially open, closes after pollination in autumn, forming a small green cone that grows to 5–7 cm long. After 2–3 years, the cones disintegrate, each scale releasing two winged seeds that must be sown very quickly, as they do not keep well in the open air.

The Atlas Cedar is a large tree requiring ample space to develop, as well as a sunny exposure. Only disliking overly clayey and poorly drained soils, it shows good adaptability and tolerates polluted urban air very well. It should be planted as a standalone specimen to fully appreciate its stately silhouette. If your plot is large enough, you can plant nearby trees with colourful foliage to create striking contrasts with its blue-green foliage. Consider Robinia pseudoacacia 'Altdorf', a golden False Acacia with reddish young shoots and fragrant, nectar-rich white flowers, or a Liquidambar styraciflua, or Sweetgum, whose finely cut green foliage turns scarlet red in autumn...