Lebanese cedar is a classic member of the pine family, growing in warm climates. It has a history of several millennia, is mentioned in the Bible and is the national symbol of Lebanon. When artificially grown, it is used in landscape design for decorating park areas.
Lebanese cedars
Brief information about the species
- Needle color: blue-green.
- Height: under natural growth conditions - up to 40-50 m.
- Width crowns: about 2-3 m.
- Distribution area: Middle East (Lebanon)
- Landing features: well lit area with sufficient space for growth and development.
- Life span : 2-3 thousand years in the natural environment, up to 100 years in artificially created conditions.
Geography of distribution
The geography of distribution covers the mountainous areas of the Middle East on the Mediterranean coast, or rather, the territory of Lebanon (formerly Phenicia), from where it takes its name and where it acts as a state symbol. Grows on the slopes of mountains in remote areas at an altitude of 2 km above sea level.
Areas of natural growth are practically not preserved and are limited to 6 small cedar forests in terms of population. Has a conservation status as threatened with extinction.
Some specimens are found on the territory of Turkey, incl. in the southern coastal mountains of the Taurus. Under artificial growing conditions, it is widespread among residents of the Black Sea strip of the Krasnodar Territory, in the Caucasus and Central Asian regions. Small-size cedar forests are present in Crimea.
Botanical characteristic
Refers to relict evergreens. In favorable climatic conditions, it can reach heights of up to 40-50 m.
Botanical Description:
- the trunk is wide, in an adult tree, up to 2.5 m in diameter, covered with dark gray scaly bark;
- woody layer with a reddish color, soft but durable, has a pleasant pine smell;
- the crown of young cedars is canonical, dense, formed by a large number of shoots, as it grows, it becomes flattened-wide, elongated horizontally, in some specimens it looks like an open umbrella;
- needles in shades of green or blue-green, tetrahedral shape, folded into bundles of 30-40 needles 3-4 cm long, needles change every 2 years;
- fruits - light brown cones, average size 12 * 4-6 cm;
- the seeds are resinous, not suitable for human consumption, about 1.5 * 4 mm, seed wing up to 2.5 cm long.
Fruiting of the Lebanese cedar begins at the age of 25-30 years with an interval of 2 years. In its natural environment, the tree propagates by spreading seeds by wind currents.
The total life expectancy in the wild is several millennia. Growth rates are slow.
Refers to light-loving plants. Able to tolerate drought, but reacts negatively to low temperatures, dying during prolonged frosts. Withstands short-term frost down to -30 ° С. It is undemanding to the ground, but it does not cope well with excess moisture.
Landing rules
The most suitable time for planting is autumn, before the onset of frost, incl. October November.
The choice of a seedling and a place for planting
The cedar needs sunlight
For planting in an artificial environment, choose a healthy seedling that does not have mechanical damage. Trees with a closed root system have the best rooting.
It is recommended to plant ephedra in a sunlit area. The place is chosen so that an adult cedar with a horizontally growing crown would have enough open space afterwards.
Before planting, the soil is dug up, simultaneously introducing humus. The composition of the clay soil is improved by introducing coarse river sand.
Landing technology
The planting hole is dug to a depth exceeding the length of the roots of the seedling by 1/3. The bottom is laid out with expanded clay or pebbles, creating drainage.
The substrate is prepared from soil, peat and sand, taken in proportions of 2: 1: 2, adding compost, pine needles and wood ash as fertilizers to them. They fill the hole, pour out a bucket of water and give the soil time to shrink.
After that, an earthen hill is made from the substrate, a seedling is placed on top and its roots are sprinkled with soil, tightly tamping the surface layer. At the end of planting, the tree is watered abundantly and tied to a support.
How to care
Caring for the Lebanese cedar after planting includes properly organized watering, timely application of top dressing and crown formation. For the winter, young seedlings are closed.
Watering
The drought-resistant ephedra does not require frequent watering. Newly planted seedlings are watered in the morning and evening hours daily throughout the week. Timely moistening of the soil provides immature plants with active development of the root system.
After the procedure or after heavy rain, the soil around the trunk is loosened, which increases the absorption of moisture and nutrition by the roots and increases the amount of air entering them.
Top dressing
It is recommended to feed the Lebanese cedar three times a season: in late spring, in the middle of summer and in early autumn. For feeding the ephedra, ready-made mineral fertilizers such as Agricola, Forte and the like are suitable, which contain potassium and phosphorus in increased proportions.
It is impossible to introduce substances rich in nitrogen, incl. fresh manure, urea and ammonium nitrate.
Crown formation
The crown of a cedar is formed naturally, but during the season the tree requires sanitary pruning, during which damaged and dried branches are removed.
The plant is also cut off if it has 2 trunks, choosing the least developed for removal.
To limit the growth of Lebanese cedar in a small area or when grown at home, its formation in the bonsai style helps.
Preparing for winter
Severe frosts adversely affect the health of the cedar, and persistent and prolonged cold weather with temperatures below -20 ° C can cause the death of the plant.
The crown of the tree can be shaped
For this reason, when preparing for winter, the ephedra is insulated, creating protection around the trunk:
- initially, in the last days of autumn, 2 weeks before the onset of the first frost, the tree is watered abundantly;
- a layer of humus or peat up to 15 cm thick is poured into the trunk circle;
- young seedlings are given additional shelter for the winter by organizing a frame with a non-woven fabric above them, while avoiding the use of air-tight polyethylene.
Reproduction methods
When artificially growing ornamental species, the seed method of reproduction is not used, because they do not bear fruit.
The coniferous tree is propagated by cuttings, acquiring seedlings or harvesting planting material on their own.
For growing, shoots cut from an adult ephedra in spring with swollen buds from 10 cm long are suitable, which are placed in water, adding a root growth stimulator to it.
Subsequently, the stalk that has given the roots is planted in a greenhouse. They are planted in a permanent place only after 5-8 years, when the plant gets stronger.
Farmed Lebanese cedars grow up to 15 m and live up to 80 years.
The wild cedar species can be cultivated from seeds by sowing it into a moistened substrate of sod, pine needles and river sand, to a depth of 2-3 cm. When a height of 0.5 m is reached, transplant is carried out into loose, well-drained soil.
Diseases and pests
Among the most common diseases is fungus. Abiga-Peak, Ordan and Hom are used against rust and rot. Spraying is carried out in the evening in the absence of precipitation.
Affected shoots are pruned to prevent the spread of infection throughout the crown.
As a preventive measure, treatment with fungicidal preparations against fungal pathogens is carried out in early spring.
Ephedra is affected by bark beetles and pine silkworms. The primary signs help to identify the pest on the tree - dense cocoons formed from cobwebs and deformed shoots with fallen needles.
In the fight against parasitic insects, insecticidal agents are used, for example, Actellik, Arrivo and the like. In case of massive lesions, the treatment is carried out a second time with an interval of 2 weeks.
Practical use
In ancient times, due to its high density, Lebanese cedar wood was used for construction and shipbuilding. Modern pharmacology uses coniferous plant oil in the production of antiseptic agents.
Incense increases efficiency and has a warming, harmonizing property, helps with stress and relieves tension.
Since the 17th century, trees have been actively used in landscape design. Inhabitants of Crimea, Transcaucasia and Krasnodar Territory grow them to decorate park areas.
Breeders have bred several decorative species for cultivation in artificial conditions:
- Sargentii - semi-dwarf species with weeping shoots, height about 1 m, grows well in shaded areas;
- Beacon - has a narrow-conical crown and bright green needles, prefers areas illuminated by the sun;
- Glauca - has a weeping crown formed by branches with gray-blue needles;
- Nana is a shrub species up to 0.8-0.9 m high, the branches grow asymmetrically;
- Var stenocoma is an erect ephedra up to 3 m high, similar in description to a pine tree with a conical crown and a pointed tip.
Lebanese cedars or what's left of them
Walk in the woods. Lebanese cedars.
Cedars of God in northern Lebanon. 14 meters across!
Gardeners reviews
Ornamental plants derived from the classic Lebanese cedar and having a smaller size in comparison with the original specimen are more suitable for a private personal plot.
Gardeners appreciate this species. They note that the tree looks beautiful, it is drought tolerant and does not require frequent watering, and grows well in sunlit areas.
Propagated more often by cuttings, less often by seeds. It can be planted with seeds taken from the cones of a wild plant, but growing in artificial conditions is difficult.