About

Cedrus atlantica is a sizable evergreen conifer that exhibits a conical shape in its youth, gradually expanding into a broader silhouette as it matures. The tree features branches that extend horizontally and young shoots covered in fine hairs. Its leaves are narrow and needle-like, reaching lengths of up to 3.5 cm, and display a muted green to grey-green hue. The tree produces barrel-shaped cones that stand upright, taking two years to ripen to a brown color before disintegrating while still attached to the branches.

About the genus

Cedrus consists of substantial evergreen trees characterized by needle-like foliage that forms a spiral pattern on young branches and appears in whorls on shorter spur-like shoots. The ovoid cones disintegrate to disperse seeds while remaining attached to the tree.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Plant type
Conifers, Trees
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
Higher than 12 metres
Spread
wider than 8 metres
Time to full height
20-50 years
Suggested uses
Architectural
Native to
N Africa (Mts)

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil. Good specimen tree but needs space to reach full potential
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to conifer aphid
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus