1. Native / Non-native Status
Non-native. Native to the mountains of Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. Introduced to Britain in the 17th century and widely planted in parks and estates.
2. Evergreen / Deciduous
Evergreen – retains foliage year-round.
3. Appearance
Leaves: Needle-like, stiff, 2–4 cm long, bluish-green to dark green. Borne singly on young shoots and in clusters of 20–40 on older spur shoots.
Bark: Dark grey to black, becoming deeply fissured and ridged with age.
Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Monoecious. Male cones cylindrical, yellow, releasing pollen in autumn. Female cones barrel-shaped, 8–12 cm long, green when young, ripening to brown over 2–3 years before breaking apart on the tree to release winged seeds.
Overall shape: Conical when young; with age develops a broad, flat-topped crown with massive, horizontal, tiered branches.
4. Typical Size
30–40 m tall in the UK; spread 15–25 m. Some exceptional specimens live for hundreds of years.
5. Habitat & Range
Grown widely across Britain as an ornamental tree, especially in large estates, arboreta, and parks. Thrives in deep, fertile, well-drained soils in sheltered sites.
6. Distinctive Features (ID tips)
Mature trees have wide, flat-topped crowns with tiered branches.
Barrel-shaped cones sit upright on branches.
Needles stiff and clustered, bluish to dark green.
Large, spreading specimens dominate parkland landscapes.
7. Seasonal Changes
Spring/Summer: Evergreen foliage stays dense and green.
Autumn: Male cones shed clouds of yellow pollen.
Winter: Broad silhouette and dark evergreen canopy remain striking.
8. Human Uses
Timber in native range prized for construction, shipbuilding, and furniture (fragrant, durable, rot-resistant).
In the UK, mainly used as an ornamental tree in landscapes.
Associated with heritage estates and historic gardens.
9. Wildlife Value
Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and mammals.
Seeds eaten by squirrels and some birds.
Lower in invertebrate value than native broadleaves but adds habitat diversity.
10. Fun Fact / Cultural Note
Symbol of Lebanon, featured on the national flag.
Revered since ancient times; cedar wood mentioned in the Bible and used in temples and palaces.
Many of Britain’s oldest specimens date from the 17th–18th centuries and are now iconic features in historic parks.
11. Planting & Care (Basic Instructions)
Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.
Soil: Prefers deep, fertile, well-drained loams; tolerates clay and sandy soils; dislikes waterlogging. Neutral to slightly alkaline soils best.
Light: Requires full sun.
Watering: Water regularly in first 2–3 years; drought-tolerant once mature.
Spacing: Allow 12–20 m between trees; needs vast space for crown spread.
Aftercare: Mulch base to conserve moisture. Stake young trees if in exposed sites. Minimal pruning; only remove dead or crossing branches.
12. Good for Urban or Garden Setting?
Urban: Suitable only for large parks and estates; not appropriate for streets or small urban gardens due to immense size.
Garden: Excellent as a dramatic specimen in very large gardens, estates, or arboreta. Too large for small or medium gardens.