Cedrus libani
Common name: 
Cedar of Lebanon
Pronunciation: 
SE-drus LIB-an-i
Family: 
Pinaceae
Genus: 
Type: 
Conifer
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Conifer, evergreen, slow growing, to about 75-120 ft [23-37 m] high and somewhat less of a spread, branches more or less horizontal, lower branches may sweep to the ground.  Leaves (needles) in clusters of 30-40 on spur shoots, 2-4 cm long, stiff, dark or bright green.  Female cones are stalked, barrel-shaped, upright, 8-12 cm long, apex flat or concave, purple and maturing to brown.
  • Sun, prefers well-drained and somewhat dry soil
  • Hardy to USDA Zone (5) 6     Native to Lebanon and Turkey.  A number of cultivars are available.
  • libani: of Mount Lebanon
  • The Cedrus genus was formerly considered to include four species, but some authorities have reduced it to two, C. deodara of the Himalayas and C. libani (Cedar of Lebanon) of the Mediterranean.  C. atlantica, the most common species used in landscaping is now considered to be a subspecies of C. libani (i.e., C. libani ssp. atlantica), or even just synonymous (van Gelderen and van Hoey Smith, 1996).  Hence the common glauca (bluish) form may be named C. libani ssp. atlantica 'Glauca' or possibly even C. libani 'Glauca'.  However, it is likely that this popular tree will continue to be offered for some time in the nursery trade as C. atlantica 'Glauca'.
  • Hoyt Arboretum: Portland, Oregon
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • branches and ripening cones

    branches and ripening cones

  • needle clusters

    needle clusters