The Cedars of Lebanon are an ancient tree species native to the Middle East that were used widely in ancient civilizations for shipbuilding, construction, and religious purposes. They grow exclusively above 1,000m in elevation in Lebanon, where only 12 remaining forests of less than 800 hectares exist today. Throughout history, the Cedars of Lebanon have been referenced in religious texts like the Bible and Quran and used for purposes like mummification in ancient Egypt and shipbuilding by the Phoenicians. They remain an iconic symbol of national and cultural identity for Lebanon.

1. CEDARS OF LEBANON
Biological and Historical Properties
RATSIMANOHATRA
Fenitra
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2. You’ve already seen this tree !! But Where ?!
Symbol of Lebanon
Origins in Middle Orient 2

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
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4. SPECIFICITIES
Cones of Cedars Crown is coning The crown becomes
tabular with age
Leaves are needles, around 3cm long
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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
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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 tree
It is said that the cross of Jesus was made of Cedar

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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
Hardness
Exquisite fragrance
Resistance to insect
High resistance to humidity and temperature
That’s why used by the
Phoenicians, Egyptians etc…
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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
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11. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION !!
QUESTIONS ?
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