Practical
Plants

Cedrus atlantica

Atlas Deodar

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Cedrus genus in the family Pinaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Pinaceae
Genus
Cedrus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
25 m
Spread
10 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[6]. The oil is also astringent, diuretic, expectorant and sedative[7]. 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[9][6][7]. It is used as an inhalant for treating bronchitis, tuberculosis and nervous tension[9][6]. An infusion of the branches can also be used[6].

Product or use
Antidandruff
Product or use
Antifungal
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Skin

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil obtained from the distilled branches is used in perfumery, notably in jasmine-scented soaps[6]. The essential oil also repels insects[6]. Plants can be grown as a tall hedge[8]. Wood - fragrant and durable[6]. It is prized for joinery and veneer and is also used in construction[11][6]. It is also used for making insect-repellent articles for storing textiles[6].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Hedge

Environment

Range
N. Africa - Morocco and Algeria.
Habitat
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[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, drought
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - collect the cones in winter and keep in a warm room until they open[1]. Sow immediately in a cold frame[12]. One report says that a short cold stratification of one month improves germination rates[3]. Keep the seed pot moist, but be careful because the young seedlings are very prone to damp off, keep them well ventilated[3]. 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[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Thrives on most soils, being very tolerant of chalk, dry sites and of drought when it is established[2][13][5]. 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[2]. 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[5]. Small trees less than 50cm tall establish much quicker and better than taller trees, those more than 2 metres tall are difficult to establish[5]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[5]. Trees grow fairly rapidly, with height gains of 60cm in a year recorded[4]. This species is cultivated for its timber in some parts of S. Europe[10]. Small male cones are formed on the lower branches of trees, whilst the larger female cones are formed on higher branches[6]. These female cones persist on the tree for 2 - 3 years before breaking up[6]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  7. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  8. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

  9. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  13. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩

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