Atlas Cedar

Cedrus atlantica is native to the Atlas and Rif mountains of Morocco and Algeria in northwestern Africa.

• Found primarily in the High Atlas, Middle Atlas, and Rif mountain ranges of Morocco, with smaller populations in the Tell Atlas of Algeria
• Occurs at elevations of approximately 1,000 to 2,600 meters
• Grows on north- and west-facing slopes in a subhumid to semi-arid Mediterranean climate
• Forms pure cedar forests or mixed stands with holm oak (Quercus ilex) and various juniper species
• The Middle Atlas cedar forests of Morocco are among the most extensive remaining cedar forests in the Mediterranean
• First described by the French botanist Manuel d'Endlicher in 1842
• Estimated to cover approximately 134,000 hectares in Morocco and approximately 3,000 hectares in Algeria
• Cedar forests have been declining due to overgrazing, illegal logging, drought, and climate change

Cedrus atlantica is a large, long-lived evergreen conifer with a broadly spreading crown.

Size:
• Height: typically 20 to 35 meters, occasionally reaching 40 meters
• Trunk diameter: 1 to 2.5 meters
• Crown: conical when young, becoming broadly spreading, flat-topped, and tiered with age

Bark:
• Dark gray to silvery-gray, deeply fissured, forming thick, scaly plates

Foliage:
• Needles borne in dense clusters (short shoots) of 20 to 40
• Variable in color: dark green in the typical form, silvery-blue to intense steel-blue in the Glauca form
• Needles are stiff, linear, 1.5 to 3 cm long, with a pointed tip
• Persistent for 2 to 3 years

Cones:
• Barrel-shaped, 5 to 8 cm long and 3 to 5 cm wide
• Greenish to purplish when young, maturing to reddish-brown
• Composed of numerous closely packed scales
• Disintegrate at maturity, releasing large, winged seeds

Atlas cedar plays a crucial ecological role in the mountain forests of North Africa.

Habitat:
• Dominates the montane Mediterranean forest belt of the Atlas and Rif mountains
• Forms the upper treeline on north-facing slopes
• Adapted to cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers
• Grows on limestone, dolomite, and mica-schist substrates

Ecosystem role:
• A keystone species of North African montane ecosystems, providing habitat for numerous endemic species
• The endangered Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) depends on cedar forests for food and shelter
• Cedar forests protect watersheds that are critical for downstream agriculture and urban water supplies
• Old-growth trees provide nesting sites for raptors including the endangered Egyptian vulture
• The leaf litter and organic matter from cedar forests maintain soil fertility on steep mountain slopes

Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

• Populations have declined significantly due to overgrazing by goats and sheep, which prevents natural regeneration
• Climate change is causing increased drought stress and shifting the species' suitable habitat upslope
• Pest outbreaks, particularly by the cedar bark beetle (Phaenops marmottani), have caused significant mortality
• Cedar forests in Morocco have declined by approximately 75% over the last century
• Major protected areas include the Ifrane National Park and Tazekka National Park in Morocco
• Reforestation programs are underway in both Morocco and Algeria
• The species regenerates poorly under heavy grazing pressure, requiring exclosures for successful seedling establishment

Atlas cedar is adaptable and well-suited to Mediterranean and temperate climates.

• Hardiness zones: USDA 5 to 8
• Requires full sun — will become thin and open in shade
• Prefers deep, well-drained, slightly acidic to alkaline soils
• Drought-tolerant once established
• Tolerates poor, rocky soils but requires good drainage
• Moderate growth rate — 30 to 60 cm per year when young
• Allow ample space for the spreading crown — at least 10 meters from structures
• The blue-foliaged cultivar "Glauca" is the most commonly planted form
• Best planted in spring from container-grown stock
• Requires no pruning — the natural tiered form develops naturally with age

Atlas cedar is primarily valued as a magnificent ornamental tree.

Ornamental:
• One of the most impressive specimen trees for large landscapes, parks, and estates
• The blue-foliaged "Glauca" cultivar is among the most popular ornamental conifers in the world
• Widely planted throughout the Mediterranean, the British Isles, western Europe, and parts of North America
• Provides excellent year-round structure and color in large gardens

Timber:
• Wood is aromatic, durable, and resistant to insects — similar in quality to Cedar of Lebanon
• Used locally in Morocco for construction, furniture, and craft woodworking
• Historically used for shipbuilding and construction by North African civilizations

Essential oils:
• Cedarwood essential oil, extracted from the wood, is used in perfumery, aromatherapy, and as an insect repellent
• Atlas cedarwood oil is among the most commercially important cedarwood oils