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Cedar of Lebanon - Cedrus libani
General Information:
This is a large stately evergreen, with a massive trunk when
mature, and wide-sweeping, sometimes upright branches (more often
horizontal) which originate on the lower trunk. Dark green needles
and cones, which are held upright above the foliage, add to the
impressive appearance. Young specimens retain a pyramidal shape
but the tree takes on a more open form with age. Like most true
cedars, it does not like to be transplanted, and prefers a pollution-free,
sunny environment.
The Cedar of Lebanon is originally from
the Middle East and grows to be a 40 - 50 feet tall tree in nature.
The needles are short (1/2 to 1 inch) and grow in tufts along
the branches. Cedars of Lebanon are widely used as an ornamental
and are often found growing near the foundations of old homesteads.
Cedar of Lebanon is one of only four species
(not including cultivars) of true cedars. The others are Atlas
cedar C. atlantica, Deodar cedar C. deodara and
Cyprus cedar C. brevifolia. Most other "cedars"
are of the Juniperus, Chamaecyparis, or Thuja
genera.
Family: Pinaceae
Lighting:
Full sun.
Temperature: Zones 5B through 10A.
Watering:
Has a high drought tolerance.
Feeding: Simon
and Schuster's recommends feeding once a month with a slow-acting
organic fertilizer during the growing season. If you prefer to
use chemical fertilizers, feed every other week with a half-strength
solution of a balanced fertilizer, such as Peter's 20-20-20.
Pruning and wiring Basic pruning and positioning of the roots should
be done at the time of initial potting and branch selection.
The root system should be reduced gradually, so that there is
always a good set of feeder roots.
To develop the foliage, pinch the new shoots
(candles) with your ringers, leaving about one third of the shoot.
Wiring is best done in the fall, but can be done in summer and
should be avoided in spring. Wire can be left on for up to a
year, but you should watch closely for any sign of wire cutting
into the bark.
Propagation:
No information available.
Repotting Every 3-5 years in spring. May also be repotted
at the end of summer or beginning of autumn, as the roots undergo
renewed growth at that time. Simon and Schuster's recommends
70% soil, 20% coarse sand, and 10% peat. Rémy Samson recommends
1 part leaf mould, 1 part loam and 1 part coarse sand. Cedars
need good drainage, since they do not tolerate wet soil. If the
tree gets a lot of rain, tip the pot slightly to encourage drainage.
Use a deep bonsai pot, either unglazed or a glazed earth color.
Place the tree where it will get good air
circulation, but will be protected from wind, especially young
trees and newly repotted trees.
Conifers grow in association with a symbiotic
fungus which grows in the root ball of the tree. If this fungus
is not present, the tree may die. For this reason, pines and
other conifers should never be bare-rooted, unless steps are
taken to re-introduce the fungus to the repotted plant, such
as making a slurry (thin mud) of the old soil and pouring it
over the newly potted soil.
Some experts feel that it is more important
to be sure that the tree always has a healthy root system with
sufficient feeder roots than to worry about symbiotic fungi.
They feel that trees are more likely to die from having their
root systems reduced too much at once than from not having the
fungus present. Certainly it is good advice in any case to be
sure the tree has sufficient roots.
Pests and diseases: No pests or diseases are of major concern.
Bibliography:
USDA Fact Sheet ST-136
Compiled by Sabrina Caine
Edited by Michael Johnson and Thomas L. Zane
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