Cedar Tree Information

Cedar trees belong to the pine families of trees. The biological name of this tree is cedrus. They have needle like leaves and like all pine trees, they bear their seeds on scales clustered in cones. The cedar tree differs from various trees in the pine family, because of their four angled evergreen leaves borne on short side-branches.

The appearance of cedar trees differs from place to place. Geologists say that they are native to the mountains of the western Himalayas; while some say they were first discovered in the Mediterranean region.

Cedar trees grow up to 30 meters (100 ft) in height. Sometimes they grow up to the height of 60 meters. The wood of the tree is scented, thick and broad. The tree produces spreading branches that split off from the main trunk. The leaves are 8-50 meters on long shoots and 15-40 meters on short shoots. The seed cones are barrel shaped. The cone is 7-11 cm long and the broadness is around 3-8 cm. The length of the seed is up to 13 mm and it has a wing of 25 mm.

Red Cedar Tree Information

• Red Cedar or western red cedar as it popularly known; is an evergreen coniferous 50 feet tall tree found in the northwestern United States and southern part of Canada.
• They come from the Cupressaceae plant family.
• Red cedar is one of the most far-flung trees in the north-western United States. It mainly grows in lush forests and on mountains.
• It's biological name is Thuja plicata. Horticulturists also call it Giant Arborvitae.
• Red cedar trees can live up to 1000 years. The Quinault Lake red cedar is the largest red cedar tree in the world. It's located near the shore of lake Quinault in Aberdeen, Washington. The height of this tree is 55 meters and it has a diameter of 6.04 meters. The wood volume of this cedar is 500 cubic meters.
• The cones of the red cedar are 14-19 mm long and 3-5 mm broad.
• The mature red cedar trees produces Thujaplicin a chemical liquid which acts as a fungicide and prevents the wood from rotting.
• The soft wood of the red cedar is quite expensive for its different show, fragrance and it's resistance to decay. It is mainly used for the construction of siding, decking and posts.
• The bark from the trees is used to make mats, ropes, clothing and rain hats. The bark has to be removed with care, otherwise the tree would die.

Information on Cedar

• The leaves of the cedar trees are dark green in color. The leaves can grow up to 2.5 cm and are needle-shaped
• The colors of the leaves vary from dark green, to pale blue green depending on the thickness of the white wax layer produced by the leaves which protects them from dehydration.
• The cedars are adapted to mountainous climates. In the Mediterranean regions they receive rainfall as snow, while in Himalayas they receive monsoon rainfall.
• Cedars are used as decorative trees mainly in places where temperatures do not fall below -25 degrees C.
• Cedar tree is also known for its scented wood and it's decay resistance properties.
• Cedar oil and cedar wood are a natural repellent to insects such as moth.
• The closets in modern homes are usually made of cedar. As the cedar wood can absorb moisture and control odor, it is used to make shoe trees.
• Cedar trees are also used to make tops of musical instruments

The cedar tree is classified in to three types

• Deodar Cedar
• Lebanon Cedar
• Atlas Cedar

Deodar Cedar
The Cedrus Deodara or Deodar Cedar is a species of the Cedar tree. It is found in western Himalayas, eastern Afghanistan, some northern Indian states and in western Nepal. It has all the properties of the cedar tree and is very useful in construction and Ayurveda.

Lebanon Cedar
The Lebanon Cedar is found in the mountains of Mediterranean region and is found in mountains of Lebanon, western Syria and central Turkey. The Lebanon cedar is of prime importance to the public of Lebanon. The cedar tree is the national emblem and is also on the Lebanese flag.

Atlas Cedar
The Atlas Cedar is found in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco. Studies say it is a subspecies of Lebanon cedar.

I hope all you horticulturists and tree lovers had fun reading this article about cedar tree information. Do comment, if you liked it or even if you feel I've missed out on some information about this magnificent tree.