Atlas Cedar

Atlas Cedar
There are four species of true cedar, quite different from the many other trees that share the same common name. Native to W Asia, and NW Africa, they have large, spreading branches, which tend to form flat plates of foliage. Closely related to larches (Larix species, See, larch), cedars are among the most ornamental of conifers. The fragrant, durable wood of C. atlantica has always been prized for joinery and veneers, and the image of a cedar is depicted on the Lebanese flag. King Solomon is said to have felled most of the cedars on Mount Lebanon to build his temple. During World War I, 60 percent of remaining trees were felled to fuel the Damascus-Hejaz railway. Four small forests of mature trees, some over 1500 years old, still exist. Cedrus atlantica is rich in volatile oils that have medicinal properties. Cedar oil was used for embalming in ancient Egypt and is burned as a temple incense by the Tibetans. Turkish carpet shops are often constructed or lined with cedar wood to deter moths. The deodar (C.deodara) and cedar of Lebanon (C. libani) are used in similar ways.

A large tree with ascending branches, and needle-like, gray-green to blue-gray leaves in whorls of 30-40. Male cones, up to 5cm (2in) long are borne mainly on lower branches; barrel-shaped female cones 8cm (3in) long, when mature, occur higher up, disintegrating after 2-3 winters.

Common Name:	Atlas Cedar
Botanical Name:	Cedrus atlantica
Genus:	Cedrus
Family:	Pinaceae
Cultivation:	Well-drained soil in sun. Cedrus atlantica tolerates chalky soils. To maintain a single leader, remove competing branches in autumn. Remove aging lower branches fluse with the bole in early spring. Honey fungus may attack trees.
Propagation:	By seed sown in spring, after 21 days' moist chilling at 0-1°C (32-34°F); by grafting in late summer of winter. Cedrus atlantica f. glauca is usually grafted commercially, but comes fairly true from seed.
Harvest:	Branches are chipped for oil distillation or dried for use in decoctions.
Native Region:	Atlas Mountains of N Africa
Height:	15-25m (50-80ft)
Width:	5-10m (15-30ft)
Variations:	Aurea Is slow-growing, with yellow foliage when young, becoming green in older speciments. f. fastigiata Has an upright habit and blue-green leaves. f. glauca (Blue Atlas Cedar) Has glaucous blue foliage.
Hardiness:	Z6-8
Parts Used:	Wood, oil
Properties:	A good antiseptic and fungicide that stimulates the circulatory and respiratory systems, and calms the nerves. The odor repels insects.
Medicinal Uses:	Externally for skin diseases, ulcers, and dandruff, and as an inhalation for bronchitis, tuberculosis, and nervous tension.
Economic Uses:	Wood is used in joinery and for making insect-repellant articles for storing textiles. Oil is used in perfumery, notably in jasmine-scented soap.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 160-161.