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Lebanese cedar is a representative of coniferous species that grows in the southern climate. To grow it, it is important to choose the right planting site and care for the tree. Lebanese cedar is used to decorate alleys, parks, and recreation areas.
Description of cedar of Lebanon
Lebanese cedar stands out among other evergreen species. The tree has a majestic appearance: a large trunk, a large number of shoots, a dense crown. In economic activities, not only wood is used, but also other parts of the plant.
Where does the cedar of Lebanon grow?
In nature, Lebanese cedar grows on mountain slopes. It is found in Lebanon at an altitude of 1000 - 2000 m above sea level. On the territory of Russia there is the Cedar Divine Grove - an ancient virgin forest. The object is under UNESCO protection.
The breed is grown in Southern Europe, Italy and France. Artificial plantings are found in Crimea and on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, in Central Asia.
What does Lebanese cedar look like?
Cedar of Lebanon is an evergreen coniferous tree. In a favorable climate, it reaches 2.5 m in girth and 40 - 50 m in height. Its branches are bare or slightly pubescent. The bark is scaly, dark gray in color. The wood is soft but durable, with a reddish tint.
In young plants, the crown is conical in shape, and over time it grows and becomes wider. The needles are up to 4 cm long, hard, tetrahedral. The color of the needles is dark green, sometimes with a grayish-blue tint; the needles are collected in bunches of 30 pieces.
At the age of 25 years, the ephedra begins to bear fruit. Cylindrical cones appear on it. They reach 12 cm in length and 6 cm in width. The seeds are 15 cm long, resinous, and not edible. The frequency of fruiting is every 2 years. Seeds are transported by wind.
Cedar of Lebanon grows slowly. The plant is thermophilic and prefers bright areas; it is not demanding on the composition of the soil. Easily tolerates short-term drops in temperature. The breed is resistant to drought, but dies when there is excess moisture.
Meaning and Application
The cedar is the national symbol of Lebanon. His image is present on the coat of arms, flag, and money. The wood of the plant has been used since ancient times. It is used in shipbuilding, furniture and building materials.
An oil is obtained from the crushed bark, which has the appearance of a colorless or yellowish liquid. The aroma of the oil is sweetish with woody and musky notes. Cedar oil is a good antiseptic that has disinfectant and antibacterial properties.
Planting and caring for Lebanese cedar
To grow cedar, you need to choose a seedling and a suitable place. In the future, the tree is provided with good care: watering, fertilizing, pruning the crown.
Preparing seedlings and planting area
For planting, choose healthy plants, without cracks, rotten areas or other damage. It is best to purchase material from a local nursery. Seedlings with a closed root system take root well. The work is carried out in the fall, when the ground is not yet frozen. The best period is October or November.
Choose a sunny area for the conifer. At the same time, it is taken into account that over time the tree will grow and it will need a lot of free space. The soil is dug up in advance and fertilized with humus. This breed is not picky about soil composition. The main condition for its cultivation is the absence of moisture stagnation.
Landing rules
A planting hole is prepared for the conifer. It is dug out a month before the work. During this time, soil shrinkage will occur, which can damage the plant. After planting, the cedar needs 3 - 4 weeks to adapt to new conditions.
Procedure for planting Lebanese cedar:
- Dig a hole. Its dimensions should be 30% larger than the size of the root system.
- Drainage in the form of expanded clay or pebbles is poured onto the bottom.
- Peat and sand are added to fertile soil. The ratio of components should be 2:1:2.
- Then fertilizers are added: compost, wood ash, 3 handfuls of soil from under coniferous trees.
- A stake is placed in the center of the pit.
- Most of the substrate is poured into the hole and a bucket of water is poured out.
- After shrinking, a small hill is made from the fertile soil.
- A plant is placed on top. Its roots are covered with soil, which is compacted and watered.
- The ephedra is tied to a support.
Watering and fertilizing
Lebanese cedar varieties are drought-resistant and can survive without frequent watering. Water for conifers is added in the morning or evening. Watering is important for young plants that do not yet have a developed root system. After rain or moisture, loosen the soil so that the roots better absorb nutrients.
Potassium or phosphorus fertilizer is used to feed conifers. Choose ready-made mineral complexes: Kemira, Agricola, Forte, etc. They are dissolved in water or embedded in the soil before watering. Lebanese cedar is fed 3 times during the season: in May, mid-summer and September.
Trimming
The crown of the Lebanese cedar is formed naturally. No additional formation is required. The exception is when a tree develops 2 trunks. Then the less developed branch is removed.
Sanitary pruning is performed in spring or autumn. Choose a period when trees have slow sap flow. Remove dry, broken and frozen shoots. Garden varnish is applied to the cut areas.
Preparing for winter
Proper preparation will help cedar survive the winter. The breed remains viable at temperatures of -23 -30 °C. In late autumn it is watered abundantly. Moist soil better protects roots from freezing. Humus or peat 10–15 cm thick is poured into the tree trunk circle of the plant.
Shelter is provided for young plantings. A frame is built above them and a non-woven fabric is attached. It is not recommended to use polyethylene, which does not allow moisture and air to pass through. When temperature and humidity rise, wood quickly damps out.
Features of caring for Lebanese cedar at home
At home, the breed is grown using the bonsai technique. This allows you to limit the growth force of the tree and maintain the shape of the crown.
When grown at home, cedar is provided with a number of conditions:
- good lighting, while light shading is allowed;
- no temperature changes;
- protection from drafts;
- abundant watering in spring and summer;
- spraying in warm weather;
- fertilizing with organic matter in spring and autumn.
The young plant is planted in a ceramic dish. A deep and wide pot is suitable for an adult cedar. For planting, prepare a substrate consisting of soil, compost and coarse sand. Every 5 years the tree is replanted and its root system is shortened by half.
To obtain a miniature cedar, special attention is paid to the formation of the crown. In spring, pinch off the top of young shoots. The procedure is carried out manually without the use of scissors.
Reproduction of Lebanese cedar
The main methods of propagation of conifers are the use of seeds or cuttings. Each method has its own characteristics.
Reproduction of cedar of Lebanon by cuttings
When propagated by cuttings, the varietal qualities of Lebanese cedar are preserved. Shoots 10 cm long are cut off from an adult tree. The work is carried out in the spring, when the buds begin to swell. The cuttings are immersed in water with the addition of a root growth stimulator. The branches are then rooted in the greenhouse.
For rooting cuttings, it is important to provide a number of conditions:
- high humidity;
- frequent loosening of the soil;
- a special substrate containing river sand, humus, and mycorrhiza.
The process of propagation by cuttings takes several years. Lebanese cedar seedlings are growing slowly. They are transferred to a permanent place after 5 - 8 years.
Propagation by seeds
At home, Lebanese cedar is grown from seeds:
- First, the planting material is poured with warm water for a day, to which 2 - 3 drops of a growth stimulator are added.
- Then the water is drained and the seeds are mixed in a container with peat or sand. The container is kept in the refrigerator or basement at a temperature of +4 °C.
- Every 2 weeks the mass is stirred and moistened.
- When seedlings appear, the containers are moved to a sunny place.
- Seedlings are planted in separate containers.
- Lebanese cedar is watered moderately and provided with good lighting.
- When the seedlings grow up, they are planted in the chosen place.
Diseases and pests
Lebanese cedars are susceptible to fungal diseases: needle rust, trunk rot. The drugs Abiga-Pik, Zom, and Ordan are used to treat trees. Plantings are sprayed with a working solution in cloudy weather or in the evening. Diseased shoots are pruned to avoid the spread of diseases.
Lebanese cedar suffers from attacks by bark beetles and pine silkworms. Pests are identified by the presence of dense cocoons made of spider webs. The affected trees' shoots become deformed and their needles fall off. Insecticides Lepidotsid, Actellik, Arrivo are effective for controlling insects. Cedars are sprayed with a working solution of preparations. The treatment is repeated after 2 weeks.
Conclusion
Lebanese cedar is a valuable species that is used in landscape design. The tree is durable, frost-resistant and highly valued for its decorative appearance. For propagation, cuttings or seeds are used. When growing Lebanese cedar, the planting site is taken into account and fertilizers and moisture are regularly added.
