Lebanon Cedar

Taxobox
name = Lebanon Cedar
status = VU | status_system = IUCN2.3


image_width = 240px
image_caption = Lebanon Cedar in the Forest of the Cedars of God
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Pinophyta
classis = Pinopsida
ordo = Pinales
familia = Pinaceae
genus = "Cedrus"
species = "C. libani"
binomial = "Cedrus libani"
binomial_authority = A. Rich.

"Cedrus libani" (Lebanon Cedar or Cedar of Lebanon), is a species of cedar native to the mountains of the Mediterranean region, in Lebanon, western Syria and south central Turkey, with varieties of it (some treated as separate species by some authors) in southwest Turkey, Cyprus, and the Atlas Mountains in Algeria and Morocco in northwest Africa.Farjon, A. (1990). "Pinaceae. Drawings and Descriptions of the Genera". Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3-87429-298-3.] Greuter, W., Burdet, H. M., & Long, G. (eds.), (1984). Med-Checklist – A critical inventory of vascular plants of the circum-mediterranean countries. [http://ww2.bgbm.org/mcl/PTaxonDetail.asp?NameId=781&PTRefFk=1273 "Cedrus libani"] ] [IUCN2006|assessors=Conifer Specialist Group|year=1998|id=42305|title=Cedrus libani|downloaded=12 May 2006] The Cedars Conservancy parks in Lebanon are candidates in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition. [ [http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nominees/asia/c/CedarsofLebanon/ New7Wonders: Cedars of Lebanon, Nature Conservancy Parks ] ]

Description

The Lebanon Cedar is an evergreen coniferous tree growing up to convert|40|m|ft|abbr=on tall, with a trunk up to convert|2.5|m|ftin|abbr=on diameter. The crown is conic when young, becoming broadly tabular with age with more or less level branches. The shoots are dimorphic, with long shoots and short shoots. The leaves are needle-like, spaced out on the long shoots, and in clusters of 15-45 on the short shoots; they are 5-30 mm (frac|1|4–1 frac|3|16 in) in length, quadrangular in cross-section, and vary from green to glaucous blue-green with stomatal bands on all four sides. The seed cones are produced often every second year, and mature in 12 months from pollination; mature cones in late autumn are 8-12 cm (3–4 frac|3|4 in) long and 4-6 cm (1 frac|1|2–2 frac|3|8 in) wide, often slightly

Taxonomy

There are four ill-defined varieties, treated as subspecies or closely related species by some authors:
*"Cedrus libani" var. "libani" (Lebanon Cedar): Lebanon, western Syria and south central Turkey
*"Cedrus libani" var. "stenocoma" (Turkish Cedar): southwest Turkey
*"Cedrus libani" var. "brevifolia" (Cyprus Cedar): Cyprus
*"Cedrus libani" var. "atlantica" (Atlas Cedar): Atlas MountainsThe treatment of the Turkish, Cyprus and Atlas Cedars as varieties or subspecies of Lebanon Cedar is found primarily in botanical and floristic works, [Hooker, J. D. (1862). On the Cedars of Lebanon, Taurus, Algeria and India. "Nat. Hist. Rev". 2: 11-18.] [Battander, J.-A. & Trabut, L. (1905). "Flora de l'Algérie".] Schwarz, O. (1944). Anatolica. "Feddes Repertorium" 54: 26-34.] [Coode, M. J. E., & Cullen, J., eds. (1965). Pinaceae. In: "Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands" 1: 67-85. Edinburgh University Press.] [Meikle, R. D. (1977). "Flora of Cyprus" vol. 1. Bentham - Moxon Trust, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. London.] [Browicz, K. & Zielinski, J. (1982). "Chorology of Trees and Shrubs in southwest Asia" vol. 1.] Frankis, M. & Lauria, F. (1994). The maturation and dispersal of cedar cones and seeds. "International Dendrology Society Yearbook" 1993: 43-46.] [Güner, A., Özhatay, N., Ekim, T., & Başer, K. H. C. (ed.). 2000. "Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands" 11 (Supplement 2): 5-6. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 0-7486-1409-5] while treatment as separate species is more widespread in popular horticultural use,Walters, W. M. (1986). "European Garden Flora" Vol 1. ISBN 0-521- 24859-0.] but also in some botanical works. [Christou, K. A. (1991). The genetic and taxonomic status of Cyprus Cedar, "Cedrus brevifolia" (Hook.) Henry. Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, Greece.] [Gymnosperm database: [http://www.conifers.org/pi/ce/index.htm "Cedrus"] .] The discrepancy in treatment derives largely from the very narrow gene base of trees in cultivation, which gives a false impression of distinctiveness of the taxa, not borne out when the wider range of variation found in wild trees is examined.Gaussen, H. (1964). Genre "Cedrus". Les Formes Actuelles. "Trav. Lab. For. Toulouse" T2 V1 11: 295-320]

Ecology

In Lebanon and Turkey it is most abundant at altitudes of 1,000-2,000 m (3,300–6,500 ft), where it forms pure forests or mixed forests with Cilician Fir ("Abies cilicica"), European Black Pine ("Pinus nigra"), and several juniper ("Juniperus") species. In Cyprus, it occurs at 1,000-1,525 m (3,300–5,000 ft) (reaching the summit of Mount Paphos). In the Atlas Mountains, it occurs at 1,370–2,200 m (4,500–7,200 ft) in pure forests or mixed with "Abies" species and "Juniperus thurifera".

History, symbolism and uses

Cedar of Lebanon was important to various civilizations. The trees were used by the ancient Phoenicians for building trade and military ships, as well as houses and temples. The Egyptians used its resin for mummification, and its sawdust was found in the pharaoh's tombs. The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh designates the cedar groves of Lebanon as the dwelling of the gods to where Gilgamesh ventured. They once burned cedar in their ceremonies. Jewish priests were ordered by Moses to use the bark of the Lebanon Cedar in circumcision and treatment of leprosy. Isaiah used the Lebanon Cedar as a metaphor for the pride of the world [Isaiah 2:13] According to the Talmud, Jews once burned Lebanese cedar wood on the Mount of Olives to announce the new year. Kings far and near requested the wood for religious and civil constructs, the most famous of which are King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and David's and Solomon's Palaces. It was also used by Romans, Greeks, Persians, Assyrians and Babylonians. [ [http://www.bsharriyouth.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=30 History of the Cedars] ]

Historically, extensive deforestation has occurred, with only small remnants of the original forests surviving. Deforestation has been particularly severe in the Lebanon and Cyprus; on Cyprus, only small trees up to convert|25|m|ft|abbr=on tall survive, though Pliny the Elder recorded cedars convert|40|m|ft|abbr=on tall there.Willan, R. G. N. (1990). The Cyprus Cedar. "Int. Dendrol. Soc. Yearbk". 1990: 115-118.] Extensive reforestation of cedar is carried out in the Mediterranean region, particularly Turkey, where over 50 million young cedars are being planted annually. [Anon. "History of Turkish Forestry". Turkish Ministry of Forestry.] The Lebanese populations are also now expanding through a combination of replanting and protection of natural regeneration from browsing by goats.Khuri, S., & Talhouk, S. N. (1999). Cedar of Lebanon. Pages 108-111 in Farjon, A., & Page, C. N. "Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan: Conifers". IUCN/SSC Conifer Specialist Group. ISBN 2-8317-0465-0.]

Regional significance

The Lebanon Cedar has always been the national emblem of Lebanon, and it is seen on the Lebanese Flag. It is also the main symbol of the Cedar Revolution, along with many political parties in Lebanon such as the Kataeb, the National Liberal Party and the Lebanese Forces. [ [http://tyros.leb.net/ Lebanon, the Cedars' Land] ]

As a result of long exploitation, very few old trees remain in Lebanon, but there is now an active program to conserve and regenerate the forests. The forest of the Cedars of God in Bsharri and the Barouk forest are national reserves in Lebanon. [Talhouk, S. N. & Zurayk, S. 2003. Conifer conservation in Lebanon. "Acta Hort." 615: 411-414.] [Semaan, M. & Haber, R. 2003. In situ conservation on "Cedrus libani" in Lebanon. "Acta Hort." 615: 415-417.] [ [http://www.shoufcedar.org/ Cedars of Lebanon Nature Reserve] ] Extensive replanting is taking place in Turkey, where approximately convert|300|km2|acre of cedar are planted annually.

Horticultural use

The Lebanon Cedar is widely planted as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, often being planted in avenues, and as focal point trees in large lawns.

Location

Map of the cedar's forests and the surrounding mountains [http://www.mount-lebanon.com (www.mount-lebanon.com)]

Gallery

References