Cedrus libani
Common names: Cedar of Lebanon
Irish name: Céadar na Liobáine
Latin name: Cedrus libani
Family: Pinaceae
Origin: Non Native
Tree type: Evergreen conifer
How it looks
These large mature evergreen trees are flat topped and can be up to 40 metres tall.
Bark
It has ridged dark brown bark, becoming more ridged with age. The resin of the tree is highly perfumed and acts as an insect repellent.
Leaves
It has bottle-green, needle like leaves, approximately 3cm in length and arranged spirally in clusters of 10-15. The needles tend to be clustered along the twig.
Cones
Cedars are monoecious. This means that plants bear both male and female reproductive organs on the same plant. It produces both male and female cones, with upright barrel-shaped cones in September.
Initially green, female cones transition to purple-grey and eventually brown over a period of up to 12 months after pollination. Male cones start off small and greyish-green, but as they mature, they elongate and change to a brown hue, releasing pollen into the air.
Similar species
Where to find it
It is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, where thousands of years ago, vast cedar forests covered this area. It later became popular in European parks and gardens. It has adapted to mountainous climates and can tolerate large snowfalls as well as arid conditions.
Cultural importance
History | Myth | Literature
History
Lebanon was once densely covered in cedar trees. However, ancient texts indicate that this dense forest of Lebanese cedars was being exploited and exported for various purposes throughout the ancient world as early as c. 3500 BC (around 5500 years ago).
The Cedar of Lebanon was prized for its wood, which was easily worked, pleasantly scented, free of knots and resistant to rot, while its resin was valued for its preservative and medicinal properties. As a result, it was widely sought after throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East. For example, the Phoenicians used it to build their ships - indeed, it could be said that their prowess in seafaring and trade was made possible by the Cedar of Lebanon. Archaeological evidence confirms that they also used Lebanese cedars to produce their famous cedar oil. The Egyptians used the wood of the Cedar to construct ships, buildings, sarcophagi and related grave goods. Likewise, they used the resin of the tree to mummify bodies. Archaeological excavations at Tel Askelon, Israel revealed that cedars exported from Lebanon were used in the construction of the Early Bronze Age period occupation site discovered there. Furthermore, Biblical texts describe how Lebanese Cedars were used in Israel to build the palace of King David. In Jerusalem, they were used to construct the Temple of Solomon and later, on the same site in the 8th century AD, the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The bible also refers to the use of the Cedar for cleansing rituals.
By the time the Roman emperor Hadrian came to power in 117 AD, the Cedar forests of Lebanon had become severely depleted, so much so that the emperor designated them as an imperial preserve. However, successive powers and regimes continued to exploit them into the 20th century, even despite Queen Victorias aims to protect them during her reign. The Lebanese cedars were also a very important resource for the construction of railroads during the First World War.
The Cedars of God reserve in the Kadisha Valley - the last vestiges of the ancient cedar forests that once populated Mount Lebanon – is now a UNESCO world heritage site and considered a sacred place. The Cedar has become the national emblem of Lebanon. It is a symbol of strength, endurance and belonging for the Lebanese people. The tree appears on the Lebanese flag, and it is also mentioned in the national anthem of Lebanon.
The Cedar of Lebanon was introduced to Britain by Edward Pocock in the late 1630s and first planted in Ireland in the 1640s. One of the earliest specimens brought to Ireland is the Cedar of Lebanon that was planted in the grounds of the present-day Adare Manor Hotel, Co. Limerick in 1645 and which still stands there today.
Myth, Legend and Folklore
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Sumerian text which relates the story of the King of Uruk, refers to the Lebanese cedars as the Cedars of God. In the story, the Cedars are seen as sacred and protected by the Mesopotamian Gods. However, seeking fame, Gilgamesh kills the guardians of the forest, and cuts down the trees and uses them to build his city.
Literature
In addition to the 70+ references in the Bible which praise the Cedar of Lebanon, the tree is also honoured in the poetry of Lord Byron, Alphonse de Lamartine and Kalil Gibran.
Value to wildlife
As cedar trees mature, they create habitats for various creatures, including invertebrates and other animals. Over time, their trunks and branches develop cracks and crevices, offering nesting sites for species like the tawny owl and cozy roosts for bats.
Threats
Cedar can be affected by Sirococcus blight of cedar. It is quite a serious fungal disease, first found in England in 2013. It has since been confirmed in Wales and Scotland.
The needles of affected trees turn pink and drop off, their shoots die and they ooze a gum-like fluid. The bark of affected trees can turn from green to dark red or purple.
Cedar may also be susceptible to honey fungus and is prone to aphid attack.
Uses
Cedar oil is used to repel clothes moths. As described above, the timber was used for the construction of temples and for ship building.
References
Biblical Archaeological Society. 2024. Lebanese Cedar—The Prized Tree of Ancient Woodworking, Bible History Daily. Lebanese Cedar—The Prized Tree of Ancient Woodworking - Biblical Archaeology Society
Bikai, P. M. 2001. The Cedar of Lebanon – Textual Evidence for the Sources, Archaeology and History in Lebanon, 14, pp. 50-57. The Cedar of Lebanon (Textua Evidence for the Sources) - Pierre M. Bikai.pdf (ahlebanon.com)
Brogard, A. 2024. Losing the Cedars of Lebanon, Visualising Climate and Loss Website, Harvard University. Visualizing Climate and Loss: Losing the Cedars of Lebanon (harvard.edu)
Forest Research. 2024. Cedar-of-Lebanon (LCR) - Cedrus libani (A. Rich.), Forest Research. Cedar-of-Lebanon (LCR) - Forest Research
Gophna, R. and Liphschitz, N. 1996. The Ashkelon Trough settlements in the Early Bronze Age I: new evidence of maritime trade. Tel Aviv, 23(2), pp.143-153.
The Irish Times. 1999. Oldest cedar found in Adare, The Irish Times Website. Oldest cedar found in Adare – The Irish Times
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. 2013. Excavations in Jaffa uncover evidence of early trade in cedar wood, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Website, Press Release. Excavations in Jaffa uncover evidence of early trade in cedar wood | Press and Public Relations (uni-mainz.de)
Jones, B. N.d. Plant 127: Cedrus libani A.Rich. (Pinaceae) - Cedar of Lebanon, Oxford Plants 400, Unveristy of Oxford. Oxford University Plants 400: Cedrus libani
Koh, A. J., Berlin, A. M. and Herbert, S. C. 2021. Phoenician Cedar Oil from Amphoriskoi at Tel Kedesh: Implications Concerning Its Production, Use, and Export during the Hellenistic Age. Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 385, pp. 99 - 117. Phoenician cedar oil from Amphoriskoi at Tel Kedesh: implications concerning its production, use, and export during the Hellenistic Age (bu.edu)
Liphschitz, N. 2013. Cedars of Lebanon: Exploring the Roots, Biblical Archaeology Review, May/June 2013. Cedars of Lebanon: Exploring the Roots - The BAS Library (biblicalarchaeology.org)
Vidal, M. 2023. The enduring legacy of Lebanon's beloved cedar tree, a source of strength and pride, The National News. The enduring legacy of Lebanon's beloved cedar tree, a source of strength and pride (thenationalnews.com)
Sharif, A. 2017. A Brief History of the Cedar Trees of Lebanon, The Culture Trip. A Brief History Of The Cedar Trees Of Lebanon (theculturetrip.com)