Lebanon Cedar

It can reach 130 feet in height and can be found in Lebanon and Turkey at altitudes of upto 6,500 feet.

It has been valued for its oils, resins and wood for thousands of years. This tree has a lot of history with the ancient Egyptians using its resin in mummification and its sawdust being found in the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs. Hebrew priests were ordered by Moses to use the bark of the Lebanon Cedar in the cleansing ceremony following the conclusion of a period of leprosy. Foreign rulers would order the wood for religious and civil construction projects, the most famous being King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem and David’s and Solomon’s Palaces. The word Cedar is mentioned multiple times in the Bible and the tree was also used by Romans, Greeks, Persians, Assyrians and Babylonians.

It is the national emblem of Lebanon that is displayed on the Lebanese flag and coat of arms. It is also the logo of Middle East Airlines, Lebanon’s national carrier.

Today, it is widely planted as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.