Atlas cedar
Cedrus atlantica · Pinaceae
📷 Nikos D. Karabelas · CC BY 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around atlas cedar and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, blue-gray needles
- Flowering
- Spring (discreet cones)
- Adult size
- Up to 40 m tall × 15-20 m wide
- Growth
- Moderate to slow
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-20 to -25 °C)
- Origin
- Moroccan Atlas
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fairly light and deep
- Longevity
- Very long-lived (several centuries)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Atlas cedar demands patience: slow growth in the first 5 years, then acceleration. Plant it alone from the start, as its deep root system can't handle disturbance.
The common mistake
The most common mistake: planting too deeply or compacting the soil around the young tree.
The pro's trick
At planting, create a wide but very shallow basin in the soil: the root system is superficial in the first few years and won't tolerate compaction.
Care
Exposure
The Atlas cedar demands full sun to develop harmoniously and acquire its characteristic silhouette. Avoid shaded or overly confined locations. In Mediterranean or mild temperate climates, it thrives without protection. In colder regions, a site sheltered from cold winds will strengthen its hardiness.
Watering
After planting, regular watering during the first summer is essential to ensure good root establishment. Once well established, the cedar will tolerate dry periods thanks to its powerful root system. During prolonged drought, water moderately, but avoid waterlogging. Excess water is more harmful than lack of it.
Soil Preparation
Plant in well-drained, fairly deep soil. The cedar tolerates chalky and rocky soils, characteristic of its mountainous habitat of origin. Avoid compact, heavy or poorly drained soils that promote root rot. Adding organic matter at planting time remains beneficial.
Pruning and Growth
Pruning is generally unnecessary, except to remove dead, diseased or poorly oriented branches. Let the cedar grow freely to express its natural pyramidal form. Young plants benefit from staking for a few years after planting to promote a straight trunk.
Fertilizing
Once established, the cedar needs only light fertilization. Apply balanced fertilizer in spring if soil is poor. Cedars planted in fertile soil don't need it. Avoid excess which could weaken the wood and compromise the tree's hardiness.
Health and Diseases
The Atlas cedar is generally very healthy and little susceptible to pests if well established. Occasionally check for common pests (aphids, scale insects) on young plants. Poor drainage is the main risk: it can cause root rot. Prevention through good exposure and well-draining substrate is preferred.
Did you know?
The Atlas cedar is the national tree of Morocco and appears on its flag. Although threatened in the mountains by deforestation, this emblematic tree can live several centuries and reach over 40 meters tall. In Europe, it was introduced in the 19th century and became a classic in Mediterranean parks and gardens, where it stands out for its blue-gray foliage that shimmers in the sun.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Austrian black pinePinus nigra
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.