Cedar of Lebanon: Cedrus libani

 

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Point No. 7

Species: Cedrus libani A. Rich.

Family: Pinaceae

 

Description

The Cedar of Lebanon was first described by A. Rich in 1823. These trees can grow up to 40 m in height and up to 250 cm in diameter at breast height. They can have a singular massive trunk but are also often forked from the base of the trunk with cracking and scaly bark often accompanied by black/brown fissures (Figure 2). Primary and secondary branches tend to spread out horizontally and the overall tree shape resembles that of a traditional christmas tree (Figure 1). Leaves are light to dark green in colour and resemble thicker and shorter pine needles that are radially arranged along the shoots (Figure 3). They are native to the Mediterranean mountains of Lebanon and surrounding countries. They grow best in rugged and arid conditions, and they can grow at all elevations but thrive in higher elevations⁵.

In general, Mediterranean cedars tend to be rather similar in appearance and because of this, there are a number of scholars who tend to treat them all as infraspecific taxa of Cedrus libani. However, molecular analyses have proven consistent differences between the species of Cedrus. One study has identified Cedrus libani as sister taxa to Cedrus atlantica, while another study has suggested that C. libani is more closely related to Cedrus brevifolia².

Small male cones appear on C. libani from summer to autumn, and larger female cones reach maturity after two years and are wind pollinated when they are receptive to the pollen from male cones.

Female (left) and male (right) cones of C. libani. (Images taken by M. Salimeh, iNaturalist, and chief_shiitake, iNaturalist.)

 

The Cedar of Lebanon is a significant tree in Lebanon. It is a symbol of resilience, strength, and eternal life. The Lebanese cedar was one of the most valuable construction materials in the ancient world due to their versatility and strength. The Phoenicians, the native inhabitants of Lebanon, used cedar to build their ships making them one of the first successful sea trading nations. These trees were important in shaping Lebanese society. It is the national emblem of Lebanon and a silhouette of the tree can be found on the national flag¹.

 

The Cedar of Lebanon is referenced heavily in historical texts. It is mentioned in the 4000-year-old epic of Gilgamesh and it is referenced over 70 times in the Bible. These trees were sought after because of their pleasing scent, and durability as a construction material. The wood was used to construct houses, ships and temples. King Solomon used Lebanese cedar to construct the Temple of Jerusalem. The resin was used by Egyptians in the mummification process and two Phoenician ships made of cedar (since strong wood is scarce in Egypt) were buried near the Great Pyramid of Khufu for the king to use in the afterlife. The Jewish used the natural oils derived from this tree as a treatment for leprosy³. However, due to the popularity of this wood these forests were heavily logged during ancient times. The Roman emperor Hadrian (2^nd Century) attempted to protect the Lebanese cedar forests by making them Imperial preserves. However, rapid deforestation continued despite this. British troops during World War II depleted most of the remaining cedar forests to use the wood for railway construction. These trees have been added to the IUCN’s list of endangered species and there are currently many reforestation efforts in place to restore these vast forests, however because of the slow-growing nature of Cedrus libani it will take a long time for these forests to reach maturity⁵.

 

These trees that once dominated the mountains of Lebanon, can now only be found in a handful of patches and groves scattered throughout the mountain range. One of these groves, the Forest of the Cedars of God, found in the Kadisha Valley is one of the last remaining vestiges of these ancient forests. UNESCO added the forest to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in 1998⁴.

 

Text prepared by Liam Lennox and Bronwyn Harris, 2022 BOT 366 Class

 

Cited sources:

1. The Cedars of Lebanon (2021) WLCU Sydney. World Lebanese Cultural Union of Sydney. Available at: https://wlcunsw.org.au/articles/the-cedars-of-lebanon/ (Accessed: November 3, 2022).

2. Earle, Christopher J. “Cedrus libani (cedar of Lebanon) description.” The Gymnosperm Database, https://www.conifers.org/pi/Cedrus_libani.php. Accessed 3 November 2022.

3. Eich, C. (2012) Significance and allure of the Cedars of Lebanon, News Talk 1290. Townsquare Meida. Available at: https://newstalk1290.com/significance-of-the-cedars-of-lebanon/ (Accessed: November 3, 2022).

4. Patowary, K. (2017) Cedars of Lebanon, The Cedars of God, Amusing Planet. Amusing Planet. Available at: https://www.amusingplanet.com/2016/08/cedars-of-lebanon-cedars-of-god.html (Accessed: November 3, 2022).

5. The vanished cedar forests of Lebanon (2018) Bible Reading Archeology. Available at: https://biblereadingarcheology.com/2016/06/28/the-vanished-cedar-forests-of-lebanon/ (Accessed: November 3, 2022).

Images

 Liam Lennox and Bronwyn Harris.

M. Salimeh, iNaturalist, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/174743393

chief_shiitake, iNaturalist, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/176984658