Atlas Cedar (cedrus atlantica)
SKU:
£1.25
£1.25 - £29.35
per item
Seed Prices
1 gram (approx 14 seeds) £1.25
2 grams (approx 27 seeds) £1.75
5 grams (approx 69 seeds) £3.25
10 grams (approx 139 seeds) £6.35
25 grams (approx 347 seeds) £15.00
50 grams (approx 694 seeds) £29.35
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This elegant and stately tree is native to the High Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco in Northern Africa. It is widely planted all over the temperate world and is especially useful for growing in hot and dry conditions where most other conifer species perform badly.
It grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Cedars can grow on a wide range of soil types including clay and dry sandy soils but does not grow well on wet and poorly drained sites.
Fully grown it becomes a large tree of around 30–35m (rarely even 40m) tall, with a trunk diameter of 1.5–2m. Young trees are at first conical in shape with an open habit, this later develops into a broad crown that becomes flat topped with age. This tree needs a lot of space to reach its full majestic potential with low, long spreading branches that cast a dense shade.
The needles are silvery blue-green to 2.5cm long, these tend to have a more silvery colour whilst the tree is young which becomes more vivid glaucous blue as it ages.
This tree is highly drought resistant and is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution and grows to its greatest potential when planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder zones. In harsh winter conditions (below -20C) the needles can loose colour and the tree can look a little 'thin'. When the new Spring growth is made the tree soon recovers its rich glaucous blue colour.
Although mainly used as an ornamental tree, plantations have been established in southern France for high quality timber production and in its native areas extensive logging is sadly still carried in largely unprotected areas of old growth forests.
These seeds have a very short natural dormancy and require a short period of pre-chilling in moist conditions at 4 Celsius in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
It grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Cedars can grow on a wide range of soil types including clay and dry sandy soils but does not grow well on wet and poorly drained sites.
Fully grown it becomes a large tree of around 30–35m (rarely even 40m) tall, with a trunk diameter of 1.5–2m. Young trees are at first conical in shape with an open habit, this later develops into a broad crown that becomes flat topped with age. This tree needs a lot of space to reach its full majestic potential with low, long spreading branches that cast a dense shade.
The needles are silvery blue-green to 2.5cm long, these tend to have a more silvery colour whilst the tree is young which becomes more vivid glaucous blue as it ages.
This tree is highly drought resistant and is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution and grows to its greatest potential when planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder zones. In harsh winter conditions (below -20C) the needles can loose colour and the tree can look a little 'thin'. When the new Spring growth is made the tree soon recovers its rich glaucous blue colour.
Although mainly used as an ornamental tree, plantations have been established in southern France for high quality timber production and in its native areas extensive logging is sadly still carried in largely unprotected areas of old growth forests.
These seeds have a very short natural dormancy and require a short period of pre-chilling in moist conditions at 4 Celsius in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Atlantic Cedar, Atlas Cedar (cedrus atlantica)
Germination, Sowing and After Care Information
These seeds have collected by myself from an isolated group of magnificent 200+ year old trees growing in the Limousin region of France. In previous years they have reliably produced large numbers of seedlings of a good blue colour.
Cedar seeds have only shallow natural dormancy and require only a short period of cold stratification to enable germination to occur. The seed should first be soaked in water at room temperature for 24 hours. The water should be then drained off and the seeds mixed with a little clean,damp sand or damp vermiculite and placed in a clear plastic bag (freezer bags are good!) at temperatures between 3-5 Celsius (37-41 Fahrenheit) which is about the temperatures found in your fridge.
It is essential that the seeds are not waterlogged in the plastic bag or they may rot.
This pretreatment should last between 2-4 weeks to ensure a well syncronised germination of the highest percentage.
After 2 weeks, check the seed every few days for signs of germination. Gently remove germinated seeds from the bag and plant them in a small pot containing a good quality potting compost. At this stage you may sow all of the seed, even those that have not begun to germinate. Keep them at room temperature – around 20 celsius. Once the seedlings appear above the compost give them plenty of light, but not full sun.
Cedar species in general are prone to fungal diseases (damping off) just after germination. You can use fungicide to prevent this. Keeping the compost only slightly damp and low frequency watering combined with good air circulation and low humidity will also help greatly.
Initial growth is quite slow with seedling reaching 3-5 cm in their first year. Rate of growth will accelerate in the second and subsequent years. Keep the seedlings well watered but never leave them in standing water.
Although these trees are very tolerant of cold temperatures,whilst they are growing in containers protect the roots from severe winter frost. Once they have developed to a large enough size, perhaps after 3 or 4 years plant them in their permanent position.
