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Atlas Cedar

Researched by Israt Jashim

Species:  Cedrus atlantica
Common name:  Atlas Cedar
Family:  Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Clade:  Gymnosperms (non-flowering seed plants)

Coordinates:  39.70600171, -75.11818794

Tree Tag: 145 An icon used to show more information.
A tag using this number is placed near the tree.

 

 
Native to the Atlas Mountains in Northern Africa, Atlas cedar was introduced to the United States in 1845. Sometimes referred to as “blue Atlas cedar” for the tree’s vibrant blue-green needles, Cedrus atlantica is light and strong and provides a good windbreak for other plant life. The species is also tolerant of urban areas, air pollution, and dry and hot temperatures. Since their introduction, Atlas cedars have expanded across the U.S. and north to Canada.

Atlas cedar can grow to 60 feet high and spread to 40 feet wide. The trees grow slowly, about one foot per year. The oldest recorded Atlas cedar is in Morocco, with an estimated lifespan of around 700 years. Along with their blue-green needles, Atlas cedars have a distinctive bark with a brown and silver polish running up the trunk in a fissured pattern. The bark produces an aromatic oil that acts as a natural insect repellent, and its scent has calming properties and health benefits. Due to its anti-insect aroma, Atlas cedar is often used to make chests, other types of furniture, and closets to protect clothes from moths.

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Atlas Cedar Leaf Illustration
An image of the atlas cedar tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the cedrus atlantica tree trunk in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the atlas cedar tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the cedrus atlantica tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the blue atlas cedar tree bark in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the blue atlas cedar tree trunk in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the blue atlas cedar branches in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the atlas cedar branches in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the cedrus atlantica branches in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the atlas cedar tree in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the cedrus atlantica branches in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the cedrus atlantica branches in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the blue atlas cedar male cones in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the cedrus atlantica branches and cones in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the atlas cedar male cones in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the blue atlas cedar branches and cones in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the atlas cedar male cones in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the cedrus atlantica male cones in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.
An image of the cedrus atlantica male cones in the Rowan University Arboretum, Glassboro New Jersey.

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Campus Species Map
Researcher’s Biography

Israt Jashim

In 2024, Israt Jashim earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computing & Informatics.

Suggested Citation:

Jashim, Israt. (2022, Dec). Atlas Cedar. Rowan University Arboretum. https://arboretum.rowan.edu/trees/atlas-cedar/

Questions to Explore

    • What organisms in North America are Atlas cedar trees benefitting?
    • How are surrounding plants and trees in North America affected by Atlas cedar trees?
    • How has the oldest Atlas cedar in Morocco continue to thrive after 700 years?

    References

    Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica). (2017). National Museum of American Illustration. | Link 

    Atlas Cedar-Cedrus atlantica. Arbor Day Foundation. | Link

    Blue Atlas Cedar. (2022). Yale University Yale Nature Walk. | Link

    Cedrus atlantica / atlas cedar: Conifer species. American Conifer Society. (n.d.). | Link

    El Bakkali, & Amraoui, M. B. (2022). Morphological and Anatomical Characterization of Ecotype Needles of Cedrus atlantica in Morocco. International Journal of Forestry Research, 2022, 1–11. | Link

    Jaouadi, Cherrad, S., Bouyahya, A., Koursaoui, L., Satrani, B., Ghanmi, M., & Chaouch, A. (2021). Chemical variability and antioxidant activity of Cedrus atlantica Manetti essential oils isolated from wood tar and sawdust. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 14(12), 103441–. | Link

    Missaoui, Gharzouli, R., Djellouli, Y., & Messner, F. (2019). Phenological behavior of Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) forest to snow and precipitation variability in Boutaleb and Babors Mountains, Algeria. Biodiversitas (Surakarta), 21(1). | Link

     

    Rowan University Resources

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    Effects of Atlas Cedar defoliation on performance of the pine processionally moth | Link

    Increasing Drought Sensitivity and Decline of Atlas Cedar in the Moroccan Middle Atlas Forsests | Link

    The decline of Algerian Cedrus atlantica forests is driven by a climate shift towards drier conditions | Link

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