Images of the Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica)

Atlas Cedar

Cedrus atlantica

Native to Morocco and Algeria, this species is commonly cultivated in the United States for its attractive foliage and form. This cedar can grow up to 35 m tall with a trunk diameter of up to 2 m. Downy, bluish-green needles are arranged spirally on long shoots. George Harrison of the Beatles referenced the Atlas Cedar in his song “Beware of Darkness.”

Habitat:Planted as an ornamental, growing best in full sun.

Growth Habit:Evergreen tree, growing 12-18 m tall or higher.

Presence in US:DC MD NY VA

Contact us at [email protected] or follow @leafsnap on Twitter! View our Privacy Policy.

This project was supported in part by NSF Grant IIS-03-25867 (ITR: An Electronic Field Guide: Plant Exploration and Discovery in the 21st Century) and by the Washington Biologists' Field Club.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views, opinions, or policy of the National Science Foundation (NSF).