Q: Can you tell me if this tree is a cedar of Lebanon?
A: It looks like a deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) from a distance. Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) branches usually form level layers in a mature tree. The deodar doesn’t usually look as layered and the branches and the leader tend to droop at the ends.
To be sure, you can count the needles in a cluster and you can measure them. The cedar of Lebanon has clusters of 15 to 45 whereas the deodar cedar has clusters of 20 to 30 so there is some overlap but if you can find some with greater than 30 needles that is a good clue.
Of the three true cedar trees in the genus Cedrus, the longest needles belong to the deodar cedar. If most needles exceed 2Æ’ centimeters is likely a deodar cedar.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com
