1

CEDARS OF LEBANONBiological and Historical Properties

RATSIMANOHATRA Fenitra

2

You’ve already seen this tree !! But Where ?!

Symbol of Lebanon Origins in Middle Orient

3

« The Cedars of Lebanon are relics of nature and centuries, the most famous natural monuments of univers. They know the earth’s history better than history itself » Alphonse De Lamartine

Where do they grow ?

Conditions : More than 1000m above sea level

4

SPECIFIES

Cones of Cedars Crown is coning The crown becomes tabular with age

Leaves are needles, around 3cm long

5

HISTORY

Used by many ancient civilizations :

The phoenicians built Ship The ancient Egyptians used its resin for mummification

Purify and make the incorruptible soul of the dead

Defence against devil for the mesopotamians

6

RELIGIOUS LEGENDS

In the Coran : according to Sidrat-al-Muntaha « This giant tree grows to the seventh heaven under the throne of Allah; when a leaf falls, someone dies »

In the bible : known as purifier treeIt is said that the cross of Jesus was made of Cedar

7

RELIGIOUS LEGENDS

In the jewish religion : Priest were ordered by Moise to use cedar of lebanon after a period of leprosy, during a ceremony of purification They burnt the tree to celebrate the new year.The priest Isaiah uses the tree as a metaphore of the proud of the world

8

PROPERTIES

HardnessExquisite fragrance Resistance to insectHigh resistance to humidity and temperature

That’s why used by the Phoenicians, Egyptians etc…

9

USE

Medicinal : wood and resin as antiseptic, diuretic, antifungal, cones for antiulcer Perfumery : wood and leaves incense and essential oil Wood : heating, carpentry, shipbuilding…

10

NOWADAYS SITUATION

In Lebanon, only 12 forest of Cedar remaining (less than 800 ha)

Symbol for an entire country: «  An evergreen cedar is an ageless people despite a cruel past. Although oppressed, never conquered, cedar is its rallying. For the union, it will break all attacks » according to one of the text of the proclamation of Great Lebanon

11

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION !!

QUESTIONS ?