Botanical description
Cedar is a coniferous tree up to 50 m in height and with a trunk diameter of 2–3 m. The bark of cedar is gray, thin and smooth in young trees, thickens and becomes cracked with age. The root system is easily adaptable and determined by the characteristics of the soil, but is often superficial with a large number of adventitious shoots. An important factor influencing the development of a branched root system is moss cover.
Cedar needles are needle-shaped, three-tetrahedral, hard with sharp needles in some species (Cedrus libani) and soft in others (Cedrus atlantica). Color ranges from rich green to silver.
Cedar blossoms in autumn. The plant is monoecious; male and female spikelets ripen on the branches of the same tree. Cedar cones are erect, elongated, bluish in color, but turn brown as they mature. The tree begins to bear fruit late, the first cones appear at the age of 20–25 years. The cone takes 2–3 years to mature, the seed material scatters in autumn and winter. You should not confuse cedar (Cedrus) with the so-called cedar pine - a code name that combines several species of the genus Pine (Pinus). These include: Siberian, European, dwarf pine, and Korean. The seeds of these trees are eaten and called “pine nuts.” However, from a botanical point of view, this is neither a nut nor a cedar fruit; it would be correct to designate the product as “pine seeds.” The fruits of plants of the Cedar genus are inedible.
The lifespan of cedar is on average 1000 years or more. The oldest cedar grows on the Japanese island of Yakushima; its age, according to various sources, is 3–7 thousand years. The growth rate of a tree changes with age. At the beginning of life it grows quickly, in adulthood - moderately, adding 20–30 cm per year.
Classification
The structure of the cones of cedars and pine trees is similar in many ways, and traditionally it was believed that these two genera are most closely related to each other. Molecular studies described in 2000 and 2003 clarify this hypothesis and indicate a more basal position of cedars in the pine family than the pines themselves[5][6].
The genus has 4 species[7]:
- Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière - Atlas cedar
- Cedrus brevifolia (Hook.f.) Elwes & A.Henry - Short-coniferous cedar, in a number of sources this species is considered a subspecies of the Cedar of Lebanon ( Cedrus libani
)[8] - Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex Lamb.) G.Don - Himalayan cedar
- Cedrus libani A.Rich. — Cedar of Lebanon
Kinds
The genus Cedrus contains 4 species: Himalayan cedar (C. deodara), Lebanese cedar (C. libani), Atlas cedar (C. atlantica), short-coniferous or Cypriot cedar (C. brevifolia). “Cedar” is often called trees that are not related to this genus. For example, Siberian cedar is Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica). Caucasian cedar is sometimes called C. deodara, and Karelian cedar is a variety of conifers growing in Karelian forests.
Himalayan
A fast-growing tree up to 50 m high, the shoots are horizontal, hanging, the crown is wide in the form of a cone. The needles are dense, relatively soft, straight, silver-green, on average 2–5 cm in length. The cones are green-blue when they appear and, when ripe, acquire a red-brown color. The root system is superficial, with a large number of shoots; the tree is not wind-resistant. In the mountains it grows at an altitude of up to 3500 m. It can reach 3000 years of age. The wood is soft but durable.
Lebanese
Height is 30–40 m, the crown becomes umbrella-shaped with age. The branches are powerful, extending from the trunk at an oblique angle. The needles are up to 4 cm long, in some forms deep green, in others bluish. The cones are light with a brown tint. The wood is light and soft, red in color.
Atlas
An evergreen tree up to 40-50 m high and a trunk up to 2 m in diameter. The needles are thick, short (up to 2.5 cm), silvery. The wood is aromatic and smells like sandalwood. The tree is drought-resistant, unlike other species, and can withstand prolonged frosts down to –20 °C.
Short-coniferous
A small tree up to 15 m tall with very short bluish-green needles (up to 10 mm). A variety of Lebanese cedar.
Cedars easily produce interspecific hybrids. Hybrid forms between the Himalayan and Atlas species are common.
Notes
- Farjon, A. (1990). Pinaceae.
Drawings and Descriptions of the Genera . Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3-87429-298-3. - Frankis, M. & Lauria, F. (1994). The maturation and dispersal of cedar cones and seeds. International Dendrology Society Yearbook
1993: 43–46. - Bible, Psalm 91, verse 13.
- Melnichenko T. A.
Merchandising of perfumery and cosmetic products" (for secondary specialized educational institutions). - Rostov: Phoenix, 2002. — Page 18. - Liston A., D. S. Gernandt, T. F. Vining, C. S. Campbell, D. Piñero. 2003. Molecular Phylogeny of Pinaceae and Pinus. In Mill, R.R. (ed.): Proceedings of the 4th Conifer Congress. Acta Hort 615
: pp. 107-114. - Wang, X.-Q., Tank, D.C. and Sang, T. (2000): Phylogeny and Divergence Times in Pinaceae: Evidence from Three Genomes. Molecular Biology and Evolution 17
:773–781. Available [mbe.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/17/5/773 online] - [www.theplantlist.org/browse/G/Pinaceae/Cedrus/ Cedrus on The Plant List] (Latin) (English) (Accessed March 10, 2011)
- According to the GRIN website (see plant card).
Spreading
Cedars grow in the eastern and southern regions, preferring mountainous areas. The habitat of the species varies:
- The Himalayan species, as the name suggests, is found in the wild in the Himalayas and Afghanistan. It has been cultivated in Europe and Russia since the end of the 19th century. The tree grows in Crimea, on the Black Sea coast and in the Caucasus.
- Lebanese cedar grows in Abkhazia, Turkey, Lebanon,
- The Atlas species is found in Abkhazia, Algeria and Morocco.
- Short-coniferous - on the island of Cyprus.
Cedars grow well on uncompacted soils poor in lime. In nature, they are found in mixed forests with spruce, fir, pine and cedar forests - pure cedar forests. Culturally popular in parklands. The tree prefers a warm climate - in Siberia, both Western and Eastern, and in Karelia, it does not take root due to frost.
What beneficial substances are included in pine nuts?
Siberian cedar seeds in small quantities (100 g) contain the daily requirement of the human body for such scarce microelements as zinc, cobalt, manganese and copper, as well as a significant amount of iodine.
Pine nuts contain the following beneficial substances:
- starch (5.8%);
- dextrins (2.26%);
- glucose (2.83%);
- fiber (2.21%);
- sucrose (0.44%);
- fructose (0.25%);
- tocopherol (33%).
Protein is saturated with such deficient and essential amino acids that limit its biological value, such as tryptophan, methionine and lysine.
And its core includes:
- fats (55 - 66%);
- proteins, starch, sugar and vitamins (13.5 - 20%).
Planting and care
The roots of cedar are located in the top layer of soil, so uncompacted soil with a rich fertile layer is important for the tree. Well-drained loams that allow air and moisture to pass through are preferred. The tree is not resistant to winds; for planting, you should choose places protected from hurricanes. For this reason, cedars are not suitable for planting on seashores. Tolerant of shade, grows well in semi-shady areas.
The tree is a drought-resistant species. Sensitive to stagnation of liquid and needs moderate watering. It is important to ensure that there is no waterlogging; in conditions of high humidity, and especially in calcareous soil, cedar is susceptible to chlorosis. The tree benefits from loosening the soil to improve aeration.
You can grow cedar in the southern regions from seedlings, seeds, or by grafting onto a pine tree. Due to its spreading crown, planting a tree requires a lot of free space. When purchasing a seedling, plants with a closed root system are preferred. Landing Features:
- suitable time for planting is autumn and spring;
- the seedling should be transplanted to a permanent place together with a lump of earth and as soon as possible;
- the ground is first dug up, the size of the planting hole is 30% larger than the earthen clod;
- if the soil is not fertile enough, you can add peat or humus;
- the roots of the plant are sensitive to stagnant moisture, so a drainage layer of pebbles, expanded clay or crushed brick 10 cm thick is required;
- the tree can be strengthened with a peg.
After planting, the tree is watered abundantly. Mulching will help prevent moisture loss - covering the soil around the main shoot with peat, crushed bark, dry grass, 5 cm of pine needles. Mulch acts as a fertilizer during the decay process.
Watering is carried out only in the dry summer months, making sure that the soil is moderately moist.
Cedar, like other conifers, does not require much additional feeding. It is enough to apply fertilizer once per season. A complex mineral product specially designed for conifers would be suitable. From organic matter - vermicompost and compost.
Pruning of young shoots is carried out in spring and autumn. The cut areas are lubricated with garden varnish. When forming, the crown is given a spreading shape. To prevent diseases, regular sanitary removal of dry branches and cleaning up needles that have fallen to the ground are recommended.
Trees are insulated for the winter. The trunk is covered with agrofibre, burlap or sprinkled with peat 5-7 cm thick. Sometimes it is covered with spruce branches - coniferous branches.
Growing cedar
It is possible to grow cedar pine under artificial conditions. For normal growth and fruiting, it does not need a special climate, but suitable soil. Among coniferous trees, cedar is the leader in resistance to gas-polluted regions, so it can easily grow in the city.
The tree needs a lot of potassium. But excess nitrogen can have a bad effect on the roots. At a young age, cedar does not exhibit active growth, so its plantings are often overgrown with aspens, fir trees, and birch trees.
It is important to clean the area in time and place cedar seedlings away from pine trees, which like to nestle comfortably in the shade of the cedar’s spreading paws. In decorative terms, cedars look beautiful against the backdrop of birches, but given their powerful impact on neighbors, spacing must be observed when planning plantings.
When preparing for such an important event, you need to plan everything. When marking the area, maintain an interval of 9 m. Buy seedlings that were grown in containers. This is the best planting material: the root system is not damaged, the tree takes root well and begins to grow within a year or two.
When planting a plant from a container into the ground, pay attention to the condition of the roots: if they are twisted, you need to free them and place them in the hole so that they do not become deformed in the future. If the soil is heavy, add sand to the soil.
Trees do not require litter, since it contains parasites that damage the mycorrhiza of the root.
Cedar pine trees need to mulch the soil to increase fertility and saturate some of the roots with air. Mulch will save the tree from freezing in winter and will retain moisture if the trees are grown on light sandy loam.
In order for adventitious roots to develop normally, mulch must be added annually, because it is due to them that the tree actively grows. In dry summers, abundant watering is necessary to improve gas exchange; the tree crown must be sprayed. Young seedlings thrive in the shade, but mature cedar needs space and good lighting.
Reproduction
The tree blooms in autumn and is wind pollinated without the help of insects. Cedar propagation in nature occurs by seeds. Cedar cones ripen once every 2-3 years and fall apart in late autumn and early winter. Sometimes cedar seeds are called nuts or nuts; from a biological point of view, this is incorrect. The seeds have a thin skin and large lionfish, are highly resinous, this protects them from rodents and increases germination.
The first shoots appear 3 weeks after the seeds hit the soil. When growing from seeds yourself, follow the basic rules:
- The time for collecting cones is the end of autumn, ripe and healthy ones are selected;
- the seeds are germinated for 2–3 days, placed in water, not forgetting to change it regularly;
- to prevent diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms, soak for several hours in potassium permanganate;
- stratified at a temperature of about +5 °C in wet peat or sawdust for 3 months;
- before planting, soak again in potassium permanganate;
- sow in early spring to a depth of 2–3 cm in boxes under film;
- add superphosphate, ash, peat, and mulch with sawdust.
The film is removed upon reaching 2 years of age; the tree is ready to be transplanted to a permanent location at the age of 5 years. Replant in autumn or early spring.
In addition to seed propagation, cedar can be propagated in cultivation by cuttings. The advantages of vegetative propagation compared to seed propagation are speed and the ability to preserve the plant variety. Technology Features:
- carried out in cloudy weather, in spring;
- It is better to take a cutting from a young tree;
- the cut is made with a sharp blade or torn off with a quick downward movement, preserving the “heel” - part of the bark with a layer of wood, treated with root formation stimulants;
- when landing, they maintain orientation to the cardinal points;
For rooting, humidity, warmth, and disease prevention are important. It can take up to 6 months for roots to form. The method is quite complicated, it is more often used in nurseries, the rooting percentage is low. It is better for novice gardeners to grow a tree from a purchased seedling.
Diseases and pests
The greatest threats to the tree are borers and silkworm caterpillars. Infestations with hermes, aphids and scale insects occur, but are less common. In case of insect damage, insecticides are used, spraying the entire tree in the dosage specified in the instructions.
Many cedar diseases occur under the influence of fungal pathogens. The most common is root rot, caused by fungi of the genus Pythium and Fusarium. Prevention of disease - aeration and control of moisture, avoid stagnation of moisture. The disease manifests itself as a white coating at the base of the trunk; in severe forms, needles may fall off. When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately treat with fungicides. Affected branches are cut off and burned. Other dangerous fungal diseases include rust and brown rot, which affects the needles, leading to yellowing and falling.
Growing in dry, calcareous soil, the tree often suffers from chlorosis. Loosening is recommended for prevention.
Meaning and Application
Cedars grown in the southern climate are a source of durable and valuable heartwood. Furniture and decorative crafts and products made from cedar are popular. In addition, wood has found application in shipbuilding, construction and the creation of underwater structures. Due to its softness, wood is easy to process. Cedar wood is similar to larch, it is white and light, although it is inferior in strength.
Rosin is obtained from tree resin, which is used in the production of varnishes and in soldering work. Frozen cedar tree sap - amber - is used in jewelry and in the manufacture of medical instruments.
Cedar needles also have beneficial properties. Used in the perfume industry to produce essential oils with antiseptic properties and a calming pine aroma that helps cope with anxiety. A decoction of cedar needles is rich in vitamin C and has a healing effect in the treatment of scurvy and colds.
Use in landscape design
Cedar trees are used for landscaping parks and squares; the spreading crown is decorative and creates extensive shade. The tree can reach 50 m in height and is suitable for forming alleys. The plant looks impressive both in group and single plantings.
The most popular varieties in landscape design are those with silver and blue needles, as well as weeping forms. A popular decorative form includes C. deodara Pendula, a low tree with hanging arched shoots and rich green needles.
Young trees are successfully used to create hedges. Cedar goes well with low-growing decorative deciduous plants and other conifers. Dwarf varieties are suitable for Japanese-style rock gardens, bonsai and topiary.
What is cedar resin?
Its official name is Siberian cedar resin. The phytoncides contained in it in significant quantities are widely used in folk medicine. But official science did not stand aside in the process of studying its action. Thus, during the Great Patriotic War, all doctors used cedar resin as a quick healing agent. Even gangrene could be stopped with its help. Subsequently, Siberian pine resin acquired the status of an effective medicine.
It contains turpentine (30%) and rosin (70%). Siberian cedar resin, the use of which is still relevant today, is a highly effective medicinal product, since turpentine, cedar oil, camphor, and turpentine balsam are obtained from it.
