Cedrus atlantica
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cedrus atlantica 'Argentea'
- Cedrus libani subsp. atlantica
- Phonetic Spelling
- SEE-drus at-LAN-ti-ka
- Description
-
Cedrus atlantica is best used as a specimen tree. This tree is difficult to transplant, is the least cold hardy of the cedars, and should be more widely planted in the south. For planting guidelines, this plant prefers moist, well-drained soil and needs wind protection. In its native habitat, it will form forests on mountainsides. These forests provide a habitat of the endangered primate, Barbary macaque.
In its youth, Cedrus atlantica's form is pyramidal; however, with age, this tree becomes flat topped with broad horizontal branches. Some would even say that this tree is picturesque. Its texture is medium to fine.
The growth rate can be up to 24" per year. This long-lived tree has been known to survive up to 150 years.
This tree produces an aromatic oil that is a natural insect deterrent. Its harvested wood is commonly used in building furniture and drawers.
Human use of this tree brings a sense of danger for its future. Wood harvesting and firewood are the leading cause of the decline of this species. Forests are smaller than then were in the past. However, massive reforestation campaigns are taking place in some regions.
Quick ID Hints:
- similar to C. libani, but has taller crown
- blue foliage to very blue
- needles short, stiff, multiple on dwarf shoot
- all Cedrus genus members have new needles that are born singly on stems
- needles are triangular to quadrangular in cross-section
- female wood barrel-shaped cones sit on top of the branches
- Difficult to transplant
Bluish green cedar, 40-60' tall, 30-40' wide. Specimen tree, should be used for nothing less and allowed to develop in an open environment with no competitors. Difficult to transplant, should be moved as container, well drained, moist loamy soil preferred, but can tolerate sandy soil as well, takes full sun, and needs shelter from high winds.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Heavy snowfall can damage or break the branches. Tip blight can occasionally be an issue. Susceptible to Phytophthora and root rotand sooty mold.
It needs adequate space in order to properly develop. Its deep taproot makes it difficult to transplant.
Cannot grow in full shade.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Argentea'
Silvery-blue needles. - 'Aurea'
Yellowish needles, rarely available. - 'Fastigiata'
Narrow, columnar with blue-gray needles.
'Glauca'
Conical habit 'Glauca Pendula'
Drooping, vertical branches with beautiful steel-blue needles - 'Argentea'
- 'Argentea', 'Aurea', 'Fastigiata', 'Glauca', 'Glauca Pendula'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Argentea'
Silvery-blue needles. - 'Aurea'
Yellowish needles, rarely available. - 'Fastigiata'
Narrow, columnar with blue-gray needles.
'Glauca'
Conical habit 'Glauca Pendula'
Drooping, vertical branches with beautiful steel-blue needles - 'Argentea'
- 'Argentea', 'Aurea', 'Fastigiata', 'Glauca', 'Glauca Pendula'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cedrus
- Species:
- atlantica
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North & Central Morocco to North Algeria
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds nest in the branches.
- Play Value:
- Buffer
- Screening
- Shade
- Textural
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Nesting
- Wind Break
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- tolerates a range of soil types (sandy, clay); moderately salt tolerant; heat tolerant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Conical
- Erect
- Horizontal
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits, but has 2-3" upright, green male cones that turn brown as the tree ages. Very densely set, erect, finger-shaped cones, less than 1" wide. The purple female cones are cylindrical and can reach a length of up to 3" long. They are found on the upper branches.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Description:
- Male and female cones.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are small (0.7-1.5 inches) needles that are bluish green (sea green), varying in color from light green, a pale-green, a bright green, to almost a silvery blue. Rigid, needles in fascicles of 10-30 needles. They are curved towards the tip and appear in tufted clusters.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- Bark makes boxy pattern of rectangle shapes as the tree ages.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are brown/ gray. Stiff, horizontal main branching. Branching is relatively sparse, particularly when young.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Pollution
- Salt
- Problems:
- Messy
