Cedrus libani seeds - Cedar of Lebanon

Cedrus libani, or Cedar of Lebanon, is a majestic tree, easily identifiable by its characteristic, tabular shape with a flattened crown. Its dense foliage, dark green with a slight bluish tint, is also highly recognisable. Slow-growing yet monumental in size, this conifer is often planted as a standalone specimen in parks or spacious gardens. Bonsai enthusiasts also appreciate it for its beauty and character.

Native to Lebanon, as its name suggests, where it adorns the national flag, Cedrus libani belongs to the Pinaceae family. It grows naturally on Mount Lebanon at altitudes ranging from 1500 to 2000 metres, where it can still be found in some protected areas. It is also present in Syria and particularly in Turkey (in the Taurus and Anti-Taurus mountains), where it forms large monospecific stands or grows alongside Pinus nigra (Black Pine) and Abies cilicica (Taurus Fir).
Relatively slow to moderate in growth, it typically reaches 6 metres in height after 15 years of planting. During the first 30 years, its habit is pyramidal to conical, taller than it is wide. But this giant in the making transforms over time, reaching around 24 metres in height and 15 to 18 metres in spread after about a hundred years. Its often very broad trunk divides into robust, almost horizontal branches, supporting similarly horizontally arranged twigs. Together, they form tabular layers of vegetation with a striking effect. The initially smooth and shiny bark becomes rough and cracks into small scales as the tree ages. The evergreen foliage consists of sharp, 2 to 3.5 cm long needles, arranged on short twigs. Flowering occurs in autumn (September-October), with male flowers in elongated, brown catkins measuring 6-7 cm long, while the female flowers, small green balls, emerge at the tips of the twigs. The upright cones are ovoid with a flattened top, measuring 7 to 10 cm long by 4 to 7 cm wide, and appear to sit on the branches. They remain on the tree for two or three years before opening and spreading, each scale then releasing two triangular seeds, with highly developed wings.

Introduced to England around 1638, this majestic conifer later spread across the continent. Its imposing size means it needs to be planted alone in a large space to fully appreciate its silhouette. In a spacious garden, several cedars can be arranged along a pathway, creating an original, romantic route. It is important to space the trees well to allow them to develop without constraints. Finally, Cedrus libani is also an excellent choice for bonsai cultivation.