Cedrus libani
| Cedrus libani | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 98' |
| Width: | 49' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Mid Fall-Late Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Cedrus libani (common name: cedar of lebanon)
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]. 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]. Very intolerant of atmospheric pollution[4][5].
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].
Fairly slow growing, trees rarely average more than 30cm increase in height per year[7]. Trees can be very long lived, to 300 years or more[7].
There are several named varieties selected for their ornamental value[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[5][6].
The trees have a broad canopy and tend to hold any falling snow. This can lead to branches being broken by the weight of snow[5].
Range: N. Africa to W. Asia - Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.
Habitat: Forms forests at 1200 - 2000 metres[4].
Edibility: A manna is obtained from the tree[10][11]. No more details were given in the report.
Medicinal: The leaves and the wood are antiseptic and expectorant. They act to disinfect the respiratory tract[12].
Usage: An oil similar to turpentine is obtained from the wood[13][14].
An essential oil from the wood is used in perfumery[14].
Wood - moderately hard, durable. Used for construction[1][13][14]. The wood is extremely durable and retains its delightful fragrance for many years[15].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Pollution: Does not tolerate environmental pollution.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Early Winter
Flower Type: Monoecious
Also Known As: C. libanitica.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 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 4.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Rushforth, Keith. Conifers. Batsford, 1991.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.