CEDRUS 



The true cedars belong to the genus Cedrus, which grows naturally in 

 Africa, Asia Minor and India, and embraces only three species. There are no 

 true cedars native to this country, in spite of the fact that we give the name to 

 several of our trees. Like our so-called cedars, the true cedars are valuable 

 timber trees in their native habitats. They also have high ornamental value 

 and are extensively planted on lawns and avenues in this state. They are 

 long-lived trees of commanding appearance. In deep, well-drained, gravelly- 

 loam they make rapid growth reaching an average height of from eighty to 

 i oo feet. The cones are borne erect and are very striking. 



Cedar of Lebanon 



Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) is native only to certain restricted areas 

 in Asia Minor and North Africa. It was one of the principal woods used in 

 the construction of King Solomon's temple, and frequent references are made 

 to it in the Bible as a symbol of power, prosperity and longevity. The follow- 

 ing passage is found in the book of Ezekiel : 



"Behold the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, 

 and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature ; and his top was 

 among the thick boughs. * * * Therefore his height was exalted 

 above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his 

 branches became long because of the multitude of waters." 



Mount Lebanon, on which this cedar grows at an elevation of 6,000 

 feet, is covered with snow during the greater part of the year, but on August 

 fifth, the eve of the Feast of the Transfiguration, the people in the surrounding 

 villages visit the mountain and there celebrate the "Feast of Cedars." The 

 400 cedars that are the remnant of the forest that furnished the timber for 

 the temple at Jerusalem are now enclosed by a high stone wall and protected 

 by the Maronite monks. They are upwards of 2000 years old. The best 

 preserved trees are about 100 feet high and one has a circumference of forty- 

 seven feet. 



The most striking characteristics of the cedar of Lebanon are its broad 

 spreading habit and broad, flat head of bright, bluish-green foliage. It seldom 

 reaches over eighty feet in height, but its horizontal branches, which spread 



