Among scholars there has long been debate about whether the Atlas cedar is a separate species or belongs to the Lebanese family. Despite the similarity with its prototype, the coniferous plant, named after its homeland, the Atlas Mountains, has shorter needles, smaller cones and a pyramidal crown. The blue shade of cedar in combination with an unusual shape gives it decorativeness for effective use in landscape compositions, and differences in characteristics justify the existence of several forms.

Botanical tree description

Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) belongs to the trees of the Pine family. It grows in the wild on the mountain slopes of the northern part of Morocco and Algeria, including in places that are scarce on vegetation, and inaccessible areas at an altitude of 1300–2000 m above sea level. The life cycle reaches 800 years, and the maximum height is 50 m. It is characterized by the accelerated growth of young trees.

The trunk of an adult pine has a brown color and a two-meter diagonal. The crown is sprawling and conical, but over the years it becomes flat. The dark gray bark is covered with cracks, and the wood has a pronounced sandalwood-coniferous smell. Needles 2.5 cm long are bundled, have a bluish or silver-green hue.

Cedar cones of a cylindrical or ovoid shape reach 10 cm in length, have a shiny, smooth and dense surface. The ripening season falls on September-October, the ripening process lasts for three years. Cedar tolerates drought and short-term frosts well up to –20 ° С. It is resistant to gassed air, dust, smoke, but needs plenty of light.

Forms

Atlas cedar has several forms with similar characteristics, appearance and decorative application. In landscape design, they are used for park construction, single plantings, the creation of coniferous groups, hedges, living areas. They are also found as roadside alleys.

Did you know? In Christianity, the cedar is a symbol of beauty, dignity and greatness, and in some nations it is associated with the supreme deity.

According to the shape of the crown, Atlas cedars are elevated-pyramidal, weeping and columnar, differing in blue, silver or golden color of needles. All forms are characterized by decorativeness and the possibility of growing in a summer cottage. For a detailed acquaintance, a description is provided below for each variety.

The most common varieties:

• Fastigiata - low trees with a compact elongated crown;
• Glauca pendula - Cedar with hanging thick branches;
• Glauca - a magnificent species with a gray-blue color.

Fastigiata (pyramidal)

It is distinguished by a columnar crown and short shoots tending upward. Needles can have different colors: from light green to blue. The tree grows compact and not sweeping, reaching a height of up to 2 m. The annual growth is 20–25 cm. The bark is gray-black young trees are smooth, and rough with age. Large and prominent cones are characterized by a brownish-green color.

The species is considered wind resistant, but prefers to grow in the sun. The soil for planting should be selected sandy loess, loess, peat, heavy clay, subject to its dryness or moderate humidity. In terms of acidity, the soil for the pyramidal cedar can be acidic, neutral and even alkaline. The species is resistant to drought and urban air pollution. Due to its elongated shape and tint color, it is often used on landscape lawns in single compositions.

Glauca Pendula (Blue Weeping)

Not all coniferous trees joyfully tend upwards, and species that spread along the ground are found in nature. One of such spectacular species is the Atlas blue (gray) weeping cedar, which began to be cultivated using vaccination at the end of the 19th century. Its thick branches fall down like a weeping willow, and a wide crown is lowered. Blue exotic needles with silver tint add extra exoticness to the plant.

Short needles growing spirally or in bundles of 40 pcs each have a length of 2.5 mm. It reaches up to 4 m up and 5 m wide, so there is enough space for free growth next to it. Annual growth is 30–45 cm. A lush crown is formed with a large abundance of light. Barrel-shaped cones mature in the third year and grow up to 7 cm in length and 4 cm in diameter.

Important! The gray weeping cedar is propagated only by spring vaccination. A tree grown from seeds will have a classic vertical shape.

At first they have a green color, and eventually turn brown. Glauka Pendula is not picky about the soil, but does not like limestone deposits and waterlogging. Winters safely to –20 ° С.

Glauca (blue)

Glauka maximally resembles the outwardly pure appearance of the Atlas cedar, representing a magnificent tree with a magnificent pyramidal crown. Over the cultivated history of existence, the variety has repeatedly won prestigious specialized awards for the title of one of the most beautiful conifers. Pine grows up to 40 m in height, increasing every year to 50 cm up and 30 cm in width.

It differs from the maternal species in a more dense branching. Over time, the crown becomes umbrella-shaped, and the dark gray bark becomes peeling. The root root system is poorly developed, as in other brethren. The color of needles is found from gray to deep blue. Barrel-shaped cones grow up to 10 cm, ripen in the same way, in the third year. Young twigs are looking up, but expand over time. The species adapts to any soil, but grows poorly in too wet areas. He likes moderate watering and plenty of light. Frozen needles are updated in the spring.

Landing and further care

As a planting material, it is better to purchase a seedling in a specialized store or nursery. It is necessary to choose a place for cedar illuminated so that the sun "hosts" on it for at least half a day. Avoid windy areas and drafts. Planting is carried out in early spring (March), when the earth managed to warm up a little. For planting Atlas cedar, it is necessary to prepare a soil mixture of turf land and humus in a ratio of 3: 1, as well as a glass of wood ash.

Planting scheme is as follows:

1. Dig a hole 70 × 70 cm.
2. The first layer, 20 cm thick, is laid drainage (crushed stone, brick, expanded clay).
3. Together with an earthen lump, a seedling will interfere in the pit.
4. They fill it with a ready-made soil mixture and ram it tightly.
5. The landing site is carefully watered with one bucket of water.
6. After absorbing moisture, make another bucket of liquid.
7. The trunk circle is mulched with peat, needles or leaves.

After planting and until April, it is recommended to cover the seedling with wet gauze or other protective material. The first years the plant is tied up, because its root system is initially weak. Watering begins in early spring, when the plant needs to be awakened from hibernation, and in the warm season cedar needs a weekly procedure. In the hot summer months, watering can be increased up to two times a week.

Important! For prophylaxis against diseases 2-3 times a year, it is recommended to treat the seedling with fungicides (Fundazim, Aliot or others).

The tree needs fertilizing three times a year:

• the first stage in early spring involves nitrogen fertilizers (organic);
• in June, nitrogen-mineral complexes (“Activin”, “Garden of Miracles”, “Agrekol”, “Biopon”) are introduced;
• in July, cedar is fed with potassium-phosphorus mixtures (Potassium Monophosphate, Superphosphate).

Breeding methods

In the wild, cedars breed by seed, but in the garden you can use vegetative methods. The second option is more efficient and simpler, the first is often used by experts and gardeners with experience. Before planting, seeds must undergo mandatory stratification, otherwise the chances of germination are zero.

Did you know? In the natural environment, cedar begins to bear fruit only after 100 years, and cultivated breeds after 30 years. An adult tree can produce 50 kg of nuts per year, but not all of them are edible.

Planting material, as a rule, is bought ready-made and they begin to prepare it for planting in 90 days. First, their quality is determined, then they are kept in sawdust or loose soil, treated with fungicidal solutions. First, the nuts are sown in the greenhouse, and after the first shoots appear, they are planted in containers. After a few years, the seedlings are ready for planting in open ground.

Vegetative propagation involves two methods:

1. Vaccination. The organ of the plant merges with the organ of another plant. It is rarely used and only in cases where it is difficult to obtain cuttings. Inoculate plants in warm weather. To do this, the top of the shoot is removed with an even cut and a 1.5 cm long stem cut is made. A stalk of another specimen is inserted into it. The vaccine is tied and lubricated with garden var. The mixture is purchased ready-made or brewed from pork fat, wax, propolis, wood ash, clay, manure and other components.
2. Cuttings. Getting a seedling by taking an organ from a root or shoot. With a sharp movement, the stalk is separated from the branch and its lower part is cleaned from the needles. Then the sections are processed in root stimulants ("Kornevine", "Lush needles", "Epine") and planted in wet sand under a slight slope. By autumn, cuttings can be planted in different containers, and after one season, planted in a permanent place.

Diseases and Pests

Cedar has a strong immunity, however, like all living organisms, it also lends itself to diseases. Young seedlings and old trees are especially sensitive. The cause of the problems most often is neglect of the rules of detention and improper care.Among the possible diseases, gardeners often have to deal with the appearance of white plaque on the needles. This indicates a fungal disease that affects the kidneys, then the shoots and the entire branch. As a result, the tree dries up, loses its vitality and discards the needles. For treatment, it is recommended to make a solution of onion peel and laundry soap.

The second most common disease is rust.. It is manifested by the appearance of yellow bubbles on the needles, and if you do not take measures, it can hit the whole tree. Fungicides are used to solve the problem. Resin cancer, pika, white and brown rot are also dangerous for cedar. As a rule, uncharacteristic formations, growths, spots and spores on various parts of the tree indicate the presence of an ailment.

The specific smell of pine needles attracts many insects, so the health of cedar can "undermine" a number of pests. For him, a spruce tick is dangerous, which provokes fading of needles, as well as a spider mite, which can be recognized by its sticky web. Pine aphids feed on the juice of young shoots and attack the tree in groups, as a result of which the cedar gradually loses its vitality. There is a danger of being defeated by spruce small scale insects, hermes, flower beetles, Siberian silkworms, coniferous pox, cedar beetle and other parasites. To scare them away, the tree is regularly sprayed with the insecticides Actellik, Metarizin, Vertimek, etc.

Cedar has long been called cosmic, endowing it with magical abilities. A tree planted on the site symbolizes good health and protection from unfriendly guests. Not many representatives of conifers can boast of decorative properties and unpretentious requirements for growing in a summer cottage, but a noble Atlas cedar with a bluish tint will decorate any garden and surprise with a variety of shapes.