Cedrus atlantica Atlas Deodar PFAF Plant Database

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Cedrus atlantica - (Endl.)Carrière.

Common Name

Atlas Deodar

Family

Pinaceae

Synonyms

C. atlantica. (Endlicher.)Manetti ex Carriére.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Upper slopes of the Atlas mountains where there is little or no rain in the growing season but the soil is fed by the melting snow from the peaks above[200].

Range

N. Africa - Morocco and Algeria.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Cedrus atlantica is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone 6. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower in September, and the seeds ripen from Oct to December. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Wind.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.




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Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy; Hedge;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antidandruff; Antifungal; Antiseptic; Nervine; Pectoral; Skin.

An essential oil obtained from the distilled branches is a good antiseptic and fungicide that stimulates the circulatory and respiratory systems and also calms the nerves[238]. The oil is also astringent, diuretic, expectorant and sedative[254]. Diluted with a carrier oil such as almond, and massaged into the skin it is used in the treatment of skin diseases, ulcers, chest infections, catarrh, cystitis and dandruff[4, 238, 254]. It is used as an inhalant for treating bronchitis, tuberculosis and nervous tension[4, 238]. An infusion of the branches can also be used[238].

Other Uses

Essential; Hedge; Hedge; Repellent; Wood.

An essential oil obtained from the distilled branches is used in perfumery, notably in jasmine-scented soaps[238]. The essential oil also repels insects[238]. Plants can be grown as a tall hedge[29]. Wood - fragrant and durable[238]. It is prized for joinery and veneer and is also used in construction[61, 238]. It is also used for making insect-repellent articles for storing textiles[238].

Cultivation details

Thrives on most soils, being very tolerant of chalk, dry sites and of drought when it is established[11, 81, 200]. Prefers a rich loam or a sandy clay in full sun[1]. This species is more tolerant of atmospheric pollution than other members of the genus[11]. Succeeds in warm dry areas with less than 40cm of rain a year, but also in areas with cool summers and up to 200cm of rain[200]. Small trees less than 50cm tall establish much quicker and better than taller trees, those more than 2 metres tall are difficult to establish[200]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[200]. Trees grow fairly rapidly, with height gains of 60cm in a year recorded[185]. This species is cultivated for its timber in some parts of S. Europe[50]. Small male cones are formed on the lower branches of trees, whilst the larger female cones are formed on higher branches[238]. These female cones persist on the tree for 2 - 3 years before breaking up[238]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

Propagation

Seed - collect the cones in winter and keep in a warm room until they open[1]. Sow immediately in a cold frame[78]. One report says that a short cold stratification of one month improves germination rates[113]. Keep the seed pot moist, but be careful because the young seedlings are very prone to damp off, keep them well ventilated[113]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Give them some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors[K]. Cuttings of terminal shoots can be tried in a frame in November but they are very difficult[113].

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Expert comment

Administrator .
	Mar 17 2011 12:00AM

Planted a small specimen at the millenium, a slow starter but now in 2011, it's about nine feet tall. The site, in Inverness-shire, is at 1200 feet elevation, subject to Summer drought and Winter temperatures below minus 20. Excellent choice of tree for the site, a Deodar was originally contemplated but probably wouldn't have survived. FJM.

Author
(Endl.)Carrière.

Botanical References
11200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.

Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.

A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[29]Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens.

A small but informative booklet giving details of all the hedging plants being grown in the R.H.S. gardens at Wisley in Surrey.

[50]? Flora Europaea

An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.

Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[78]Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.

A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[81]Rushforth. K. Conifers.

Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.

[113]Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.

A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.

[185]Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles.

A bit out of date (first published in 1972), but an excellent guide to how well the various species of conifers grow in Britain giving locations of trees.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.

A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[254]Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants

An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

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