Scientific Name: Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carriere
Family: Pine family (Pinaceae)
Species Description
Growth form: The Blue Atlas Cedar typically grows 40 to 60 feet tall in a pyramidal shape eventually flattening out as the tree matures.
Leaves, twigs, and bark: Needles grow singly in clusters around new growth reaching one inch in length. Very dense needle growth at spurs off main branches. Twigs are brown with numerous spurs, twigs and branches droop down as they age and become heavier. The bark is very scaly with deeper ridges forming occasionally as the tree grows. In younger trees their coloration is a lighter gray but as the tree ages it becomes a darker gray with the darkest bark being around it's oldest branches,
Bark of Blue Atlas Cedar Tree #85, showing the scaling with a gray coloration and darker gray areas of the oldest Blue Atlas Cedar we have on campus. (Photo by B. Jones 10/24/2019)
Needle arrangement of Blue Atlas Cedars. Blue/Green coloration of needles. (Photo by B. Jones 10/24/2019)
Size comparison of Blue Atlas Cedar #85. (Photo by B. Jones 10/24/2019)
Bark/Size comparison of the youngest Blue Atlas Cedar we have on campus. Tree #1028, notice it's scaling with a lighter gray coloration. (Photo by B. Jones 10/24/2019)
Flowers: It is monoecious, having small male cones occurring throughout the lower portions of the tree with the female cones forming in the upper portions of the tree. In the fall male cones release clouds of pollen to self pollinate the female cones and other Blue Atlas Cedars in the area.
Male cone of a Blue Atlas Cedar. (Photo by B. Jones 10/24/2019)
Fruits: Does not produce fruit, but rather aggregate cones to disperse seeds.
Female cones of a Blue Atlas Cedar. (Creative Commons Image, USDA 2012)
Native range and habitat: Blue atlas cedar trees are native to the Atlas mountains in northern Morrocco and Algeria of Africa. Grows best in well-drained acidic soils. It can grow in zones 6 - 9 in the United States. Blue Atlas Cedars are commonly used as ornamental trees due to their appealing color. They do not grow naturally in the United States.
Distribution of Blue Atlas Cedars across the United States (University of Florida IFAS Extension)
Plant Family: Plants within this family are mostly evergreen trees and shrubs with needles growing in a spiral arrangement. Male cones are smaller and fall off after dispersing pollen to the wind. Female cones catch the pollen from the air to pollinate their ovules, this pollen is often provided by the same specimen. Once pollinated the scales of the female cone begin to grow and cover the ovules. (Elpel. T. J. (2018):Botany In A Day)
Ecologic Importance and Uses:
Edible and Medicinal Uses: There is no edible use of this tree known, however the trees oils can be used for health issues such as eczema, arthritis, acne, and bronchitis. Cedar oils contain antiseptic and fungicidal properties than can be used for a variety of cosmetic products.
Wildlife: The foliage of the blue atlas cedar can be used as animal feed, as well as providing homes for a variety of bird species.
Gardens and Landscaping: Blue atlas cedars is an ornamental tree species that is used widely in landscaping due to their beautiful blue tinged needles and can be grown in zones 6-9. Best grown in an area with plenty of space for the branches to show it's pyramidal form. This species doesn't transplant well, and is best propagated from seed.
Campus Specimens - Blue Atlas Cedar
State and national champions?
The largest Blue Atlas Cedar in Virginia is located in the City of Richmond with a score of 303 points. This Virginia champion has a circumference of 240 inches, a height of 43 feet, and an average crown spread of 80 feet. There is no national champion of this species.
At Radford University, three blue atlas cedars can be found on campus (circled below). Two are located next to the entrance of Peters hall facing parking lot EE. The third is located on the opposite side of the building facing Waldron hall.
Tree #84
Trunk circumference: 63.0 inches
Tree height: 41.0 feet
Crown spread: 45.6 feet x 43.4 feet Average = 44.5 feet
Total points: 115.1
Notes: This specimen is the second largest blue atlas cedar on campus and was planted too closed to the building loosing a good portion of it's crown spread.
Tree #85
Trunk circumference: 65.0 inches
Tree height: 40.0 feet
Crown spread: 41.4 feet x 40.3 feet Average crown spread = 40.9 feet
Total points: 115.2
Notes: This is the largest specimen we have on campus and like tree #84 it was planted too close to the building loosing some crown spread.
Tree #1028
Trunk circumference: 10 inches
Tree height: 39 feet
Crown spread: 27.2 feet x 24.3 feet Average crown spread = 25.8 feet
Total points: 89.4
Notes: This is the smallest blue atlas cedar on campus.
References
Elpel, T. J. (2018). Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification, Edition 6.1. Hops Press, Pony, MT.
Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. (2019). Fringe Tree Fact Sheet, Virginia Tech Dendrology. dendro.cnre.vt.edu/DENDROLOGY/factsheets.cfm
Banner Photo: By Bradley Jones (10/24/2019) Tree #85