Cedrus atlantica
| Cedrus atlantica | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 82' |
| Width: | 33' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Early Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Cedrus atlantica (common name: atlas deodar)
Propagation: Seed - collect the cones in winter and keep in a warm room until they open[1]. Sow immediately in a cold frame[2]. One report says that a short cold stratification of one month improves germination rates[3]. Keep the seed pot moist, but be careful because the young seedlings are very prone to damp off, keep them well ventilated[3]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Give them some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors[K].
Cuttings of terminal shoots can be tried in a frame in November but they are very difficult[3].
Cultivation: Thrives on most soils, being very tolerant of chalk, dry sites and of drought when it is established[4][5][6]. Prefers a rich loam or a sandy clay in full sun[1]. This species is more tolerant of atmospheric pollution than other members of the genus[4].
Succeeds in warm dry areas with less than 40cm of rain a year, but also in areas with cool summers and up to 200cm of rain[6].
Small trees less than 50cm tall establish much quicker and better than taller trees, those more than 2 metres tall are difficult to establish[6]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[6].
Trees grow fairly rapidly, with height gains of 60cm in a year recorded[7].
This species is cultivated for its timber in some parts of S. Europe[8].
Small male cones are formed on the lower branches of trees, whilst the larger female cones are formed on higher branches[9]. These female cones persist on the tree for 2 - 3 years before breaking up[9].
Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[6].
Range: N. Africa - Morocco and Algeria.
Habitat: Upper slopes of the Atlas mountains where there is little or no rain in the growing season but the soil is fed by the melting snow from the peaks above[6].
Medicinal: An essential oil obtained from the distilled branches is a good antiseptic and fungicide that stimulates the circulatory and respiratory systems and also calms the nerves[9]. The oil is also astringent, diuretic, expectorant and sedative[10]. Diluted with a carrier oil such as almond, and massaged into the skin it is used in the treatment of skin diseases, ulcers, chest infections, catarrh, cystitis and dandruff[11][9][10]. It is used as an inhalant for treating bronchitis, tuberculosis and nervous tension[11][9]. An infusion of the branches can also be used[9].
Usage: An essential oil obtained from the distilled branches is used in perfumery, notably in jasmine-scented soaps[9]. The essential oil also repels insects[9].
Plants can be grown as a tall hedge[12].
Wood - fragrant and durable[9]. It is prized for joinery and veneer and is also used in construction[13][9]. It is also used for making insect-repellent articles for storing textiles[9].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Early Winter
Flower Type: Monoecious
Also Known As: C. atlantica. (Endlicher.)Manetti ex Carriére.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Rushforth, Keith. Conifers. Batsford, 1991.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Shepherd, F. W.. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society, 1974.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.