Complete guide to cedar of Lebanon

How long do they live?

Cedar of Lebanon trees are long-lived. They are thought to live for more than 1,000 years and have been recorded aged over 600 years.

Size, height and spread

Cedar of Lebanon is an impressive conifer that grows up to 35m in height and 25m in spread. If you’d like to grow this cedar, but don’t have a large garden, try one of the more compact varieties such as Cedrus libani ‘Sargentii’ or Cedrus libani ‘Hedgehog’.

Value to wildlife

Evergreen trees can provide good habitats for nesting birds and, as cedar of Lebanon ages, cracks in the bark and holes in branches offer places for bats to roost and tawny owls to nest.

Growing cedar of Lebanon trees

This enormous conifer needs to be planted in an extremely large garden or a park where it can grow to maturity without affecting nearby buildings. Once established, it's a hardy, low-maintenance tree that's able to withstand periods of drought.

Where to plant Cedrus libani

Plant cedar of Lebanon in full sun, well away from any houses or other structures, in a spot that will give it room to develop over the decades. It can be grown on any well-drained soil.

How to plant cedar of Lebanon trees

Plant cedar of Lebanon between autumn and early spring when the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen. The ideal time to plant is mid-autumn or March. Cedar of Lebanon can be grown from seed, but this is a lengthy process compared to planting a young tree.

How to care for cedar of Lebanon

Keep your tree watered until it is established (at least two years), especially in dry periods, but take care not to overwater. If you’re growing a cedar of Lebanon bonsai tree, it needs full sun and protection from frost and cold winds. It will also require watering, but shouldn’t be overwatered, and should be fed with liquid fertiliser during the growing period.

How to prune

Cedar of Lebanon doesn’t require pruning unless branches need removing for safety reasons.

Pests and diseases

Cedar of Lebanon is generally problem-free, but it can attract conifer aphids. Aphids should be tolerated if they aren’t causing widespread damage – they are part of healthy garden ecosystems. Cedar of Lebanon may also be susceptible to honey fungus and a fungal disease called Sirococcus blight.

Varieties of cedar of Lebanon to grow

Cedrus libani ‘Sargentii’ – a weeping variety with a short trunk and pendulous branches. It’s ideal to grow over rocks or in a container. Height x Spread: varies depending on how the tree is trained, but it can be prostrate and spreading, or left untrained where it will grow to 60cm and spread to 150cm

• Buy Cedrus libani ‘Sargentii’ from Larch Cottage Nurseries

Cedrus libani ‘Hedgehog’ – this low-growing cedar of Lebanon creates spiky mounds that led to its name. Great for rockeries, small gardens and containers. H x S: 30cm x 60cm after 10 years

• Buy Cedrus libani ‘Hedgehog’ from Arundel Arboretum

Cedrus libani ‘Dino’ – this magnificent slow-growing cedar is ideal for a parkland or large garden setting with its tall, conical structure. H x S: 40m x 20m

• Buy Cedrus libani ‘Dino’ from Larch Cottage Nurseries

Cedrus libani ‘Blue Fountain’ – a weeping form of ‘Atlantica glauca’ with striking steely blue needles. Suitable for smaller gardens and growing in pots. H x S: 2m x 0.5m after 10 years

• Buy Cedrus libani ‘Blue Fountain’ from Frank P Matthews

Cedrus libani 'Horstmanns Silberspitz' – a compact variety with a narrower form than the full-size cedar of Lebanon and creamy new growth that turns silvery-blue as it ages. H x S: 5m x 3m after 10 years

• Buy Cedrus libani 'Horstmanns Silberspitz' from Dobies