Cedar of Lebanon
Cedrus libani
Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 40–60 ft tall and 30–50 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun.
medium water40–60 ft tall and 30–50 ft wideDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) James Hardcastle, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Zeke Marshall, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zeke Marshall
- Photo 3: (c) Michael and Antoni Hinczewski, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael and Antoni Hinczewski
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6–9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 40–60 ft tall and 30–50 ft wide
- Mature form
- Irregular / open
- Spacing / clearance
- ~50 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Soil ChemistryOur alkaline clay locks up iron for this one, so leaves often yellow between green veins and growth stalls unless you treat it.
- Critical: Cold HardinessIt is only borderline hardy here, so a hard Front Range winter can knock it back or kill it; treat it as a gamble for a warm, sheltered spot.
- Watch: ExposureIt wants shelter; open, windy, reflected-heat sites batter it, so tuck it against a building or a windbreak.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Cedar of Lebanon good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Cedar of Lebanon is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- Why is Cedar of Lebanon only conditionally recommended on the Front Range?
- The main catches here: Our alkaline clay locks up iron for this one, so leaves often yellow between green veins and growth stalls unless you treat it. It is only borderline hardy here, so a hard Front Range winter can knock it back or kill it; treat it as a gamble for a warm, sheltered spot.
- How big does Cedar of Lebanon get?
- It matures to about 40–60 ft tall and 30–50 ft wide.
- How much room does Cedar of Lebanon need?
- Give Cedar of Lebanon about 50 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Cedar of Lebanon grow into?
- Cedar of Lebanon typically grows into an irregular, picturesque outline that varies from plant to plant. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Cedar of Lebanon hardy on the Front Range?
- Cedar of Lebanon is hardy in USDA 6–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: It is only borderline hardy here, so a hard Front Range winter can knock it back or kill it; treat it as a gamble for a warm, sheltered spot.
- How much water does Cedar of Lebanon need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Cedar of Lebanon grow?
- Cedar of Lebanon is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Cedar of Lebanon live?
- Cedar of Lebanon is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Cedar of Lebanon native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Cedar of Lebanon deer-resistant?
- Cedar of Lebanon is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
