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Lebanon Cedar (Cedrus libani)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Plantae
Tracheophyta
Coniferopsida
Coniferales
Pinaceae
Cedrus
Cedrus libani
Description
There are three species of Cedars in the world the most famous of which is the Lebanon-Cedar (Cedrus libani). The tree
is not only known as the emblem of Lebanon. Ancient texts – like the 8,000-year-old Gilgamesh epic or the bible –
mention the Lebanese cedar, which ever since had an important function in culture, religion and trade. Thus, the wood of
the cedar plays a significant economic role since at least 5,000 years; it was used for the construction of palaces,
temples and boats and the export of cedar wood to Egypt was a main factor for the Phoenician prosperity. However, the
cedar was not just an economic commodity. Its resin, for instance, was used to relieve tooth pain and the sawdust would
repel unloved snakes. It is also believed that the cedar oil was used in Egypt for preservation of corpses.
The Cedrus libani is located in the mountains of Lebanon. Cedars are comfortable at an altitude ranging from 1300 m to
2100 m above sea level. They need moist, well-drained soil combined with a certain level of humidity. The trees can
reach a height of 50 m and their trunk can be up to 2.50 m in diameter. Some of the remaining cedar trees are over 2000
years old. With its blue-green foliage, the cedar belongs to the so-called evergreen trees. Young cedar trees have the
shape of a pyramid, which later changes to a more bulky form. The 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters long, about one millimeter
thick leaves (needles) grow singly on the long shoots and in bunches of 30 to 40 needles on short shoots. The needles
remain on the tree between two and six years. Once fallen, they do not decompose for several years. The leaf litter can
be up to 3 m thick. Cedars flourish for the first time after about 25 to 30 years of age. Their flowers are unisexual. The
seed cones are produced every second year. They mature in 12 months from pollination. The seed dispersal begins in
late November and extends through the winter; however in order to spread, the seeds need rain, snow and frost on
several consecutive days.
Threats
Lebanon’s cedars previously covered an estimated area of 500,000 ha of Lebanon; today this range has alarmingly
decreased to only 2,000 ha. As a result of overexploitation which already begun in Phoenician times, only a few old trees
remain in the Mount Lebanon region.
Climate Change:
The impacts of climate change such as rising temperatures and decreasing rainfalls have a negative impact on the cedar
stock. The resulting shortened winter season and the lack of snow, hinders the natural regeneration of the cedar.
Furthermore, rising temperatures and declining rainfall leads to the expansion of droughts which can contribute to forest
fires.
Fires:
Most fires are caused by human activities, for instance when farmers prepare their orchards and fields by burning grass
and stubble for the next season whereby the fire gets out of control. Other causes that account for uncontrollable forestfires are the unmindful discarding of cigarette butts or of flammable materials.
Diseases:
The Cedar of Lebanon is exposed to the increased incidence of various insects. According to experts, the growing
infestation and invasion of new insects are caused by climatic change. The sawfly and several moth species infest the
needles of the cedar. In the worst case, this can result in the complete loss of leaves and subsequently in the death of
the whole tree.
Actions/ Fights
What can YOU do?
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Be informed and inform others
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Avoid starting fires in wooded areas
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Don’t throw away burning cigarette butts
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Don’t burn risky materials in forested areas
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Support local initiatives and organizations which are involved in forest protection
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Resort to climate- and environment-friendly behavior such as:
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Buying organically and local produced food and products
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Reducing oil consumption through carpooling using public transportation or buying energy-efficient
vehicles
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Purchasing Energy-Star qualified appliances
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Replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient fluorescents
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Looking for alternative sources of energy, like solar- or wind-craft
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Economical usage of water…
Public Policy:
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Implementing a national strategy for forest protection
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Establishment of a National Forest Council
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Continuation of reforestation
Sources
Cedars Forever: http://www.cedarsforever.com/mission.html
Cedars For Care: http://cedars-for-care.org/index.php?option=com_contentHYPERLINK "http://cedars-forcare.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=101"&HYPERLINK "http://cedars-forcare.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=101"view=articleHYPERLINK "http://cedars-forcare.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=101"&HYPERLINK "http://cedars-for-
care.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=101"id=76HYPERLINK "http://cedars-forcare.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=101"&HYPERLINK "http://cedars-forcare.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=101"Itemid=101
Shouf Cedar Reserve: http://www.shoufcedar.org/
Tannourine Nature Reserve: http://www.arztannourine.org/en/main.php
Horsh Eden Nature Reserve: http://www.horshehden.org/1/
Al Mashriq – The Levant: http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/300/360/363/363.7/transcript.html