Lebanese cedar: description, distribution, use and cultivation at home

Today, we offer a closer look at the magnificent representative of evergreen trees - the Lebanese cedar. We learn about what this representative of the flora looks like, and also about where it can be found, and about its meaning and application by a person. In addition, we will answer the question of whether it is possible to grow this tree at home.

Tree of Lebanese cedar: description

In Latin, this coniferous plant is called Cedrus libani. Lebanese cedar is a kind of coniferous trees belonging to the family of pine trees. Under favorable conditions, it grows to forty or fifty meters in height. The diameter of the tree thus reaches two and a half meters. In young Lebanese cedars, the crown is conical, and with age it acquires a wide and umbellate shape. The color of the needles varies from green to gray-blue-green.

Fruit these trees twice a year, starting from 25-30 years of age. Lebanese cedar has light brown cones of cylindrical shape, the length of which reaches 12 centimeters, and the width - 4-6 centimeters. Seeds are inedible, resinous and spread by the wind. Their length is 15-18 millimeters, width - 5-7 millimeters, and the wing reaches 25 millimeters. The bark of the Lebanese cedar is dark gray and scaly. The wood has a red color and is distinguished by its strength, pleasant aroma, lightness and softness.

Lebanese cedar grows slowly. It is capable of transferring low temperatures to minus 30 degrees Celsius. These trees are light-loving, resistant to drought and undemanding to the soil. However, they do not tolerate excessive hydration.

Spread

As the name implies, trees of this species grow in Lebanon. As a rule, they are found in hard-to-reach areas at an altitude of thousands to two thousand meters above sea level. Unfortunately, due to the long uncontrolled cutting of Lebanese cedar, and also because of the significant deterioration of the ecology in places of natural growth, it was almost completely destroyed. For today in the homeland of this magnificent coniferous plant there are only six small cedar groves.

In addition to the native land of this tree, today you can find Lebanese cedar in the Crimea, on the coast of the Caucasus, as well as in the Transcaucasus and Central Asia.

Additional information about Lebanese cedar

By the way, this tree is the main national symbol of Lebanon. His image can be seen on the flag, the coat of arms and the currency of this country. The highest national award of Lebanon is the National Order of Cedar. Also in this country is the Divine Cedar Forest, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is under the protection of this organization. Here grow trees, the age of which is two thousand years.

The application and value of this coniferous tree

Since ancient times, Lebanese cedar has been used in construction and shipbuilding. It is believed that its insects are very indifferent to various insect pests. The first mention of the use of Lebanese cedar is rooted in Ancient Egypt. From its wood, sarcophagi were made here for the dead pharaohs. Also from the cedar was made and the famous funeral Solar Boat, which is now in one of the pyramids of Giza. Also, these trees were used to decorate palaces and construct religious buildings.

Lebanese cedar has also been used in Europe. So, the world-famous Venice - a city on the water - was erected on stilts from this tree. Also the famous Phoenician navigators plowed the waters of the Mediterranean Sea on ships from Lebanese cedar.

This plant also has medicinal properties. Thus, the oil of Lebanese cedar has an antiseptic effect.

Lebanese cedar at home

This magnificent plant has been growing gardeners from Europe for several centuries. Therefore, if you wish, you can decorate your house with Lebanese cedar. The main thing to keep in mind is that the worst enemy of this plant is too dry and hot air. Therefore, placing a small Lebanese cedar should be away from warm batteries. Thus, if in winter you saved the plant from the negative effects of heat, then in February-March it will give young shoots of tender green color.

Lebanese cedar at home can be called a rather exotic object, which will certainly decorate any interior. You can buy it in specialized centers for the sale of plants. By the way, in the southern regions the price for it is often very symbolic (this, of course, is about young seedlings, and not about perennial trees). Alternatively, it is possible to grow Lebanese cedar and from seeds. However, this process is very lengthy, and not every person has the patience to finish things to the end.