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Message: [QUOTE="The Preserver, post: 201778, member: 10249"] [CENTER] [B][FONT=arial][SIZE=7]A Tale of Two Cedars[/SIZE][/FONT] [SIZE=5]Alaskan Yellow Cedar[/SIZE] ( Xanthocyparis nootkatensis )[/B] [I]formerly Chamaecyparis or Cupressus/Callitropsis nootkatensis[/I] [IMG]https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgarden.org%2Fpics%2F2014-08-27%2Ffrankrichards16%2Fe3ae82.jpg&f=1&nofb=1[/IMG] [IMG]https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fd17vsf20mehj1i.cloudfront.net%2F50639_20120821T075143_0_JPG_354x326_crop_upscale_q85.jpg&f=1&nofb=1[/IMG] [/CENTER] When people in North America hear the word "cedar", it usually conjures images of coniferous evergreen trees superficially resembling the one in the above images generally, and this one iconic species in the above pictures specifically. Sporting the classic look associated with a Jack London story setting, it is characterized by its dramatic drooping fronds of overlapping scale-like foliage, and small globular cones. Trees in this family often have a pleasant aromatic scent to their foliage. Although it belongs to a large group that got stuck with the name "cedar", it actually belongs to the Cypress family - and yes, it is actually somewhat related to the very bizarre looking Swamp Cypresses, though it may not look it; I thought I would clarify that before anyone asked. It is also noted for being one of the parent species of the hybrid Leyland Cypress ( Cupressocyparis x Leylandii ), and by some strange quirk of fate is also thought to be related to the Vietnamese Golden Cypress ( Xanthocyparis vietnamensis ) - a recently discovered conifer growing in the wet, remote highlands of Indochina; the latter is also listed as endangered while X. nootkatensis enjoys its status as a species of least concern. Xanthocyparis nootkatensis can be found in cultivation at specialty conifer nurseries. A true beauty of the northern polar forests. [CENTER][B][SIZE=5]Cedar of Lebanon[/SIZE] ( Cedrus libani )[/B] [IMG]https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-lOqepZ0rANI%2FVrNtaE3RETI%2FAAAAAAAADp4%2FsnMg_8h9R5M%2Fs1600%2FCedrus%252Blibani%252B%2525E2%252580%252593%252BCedar%252Bof%252BLabanon%252B23.jpg&f=1&nofb=1[/IMG] [IMG]https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Flive.staticflickr.com%2F7290%2F16269759999_1c5a9bee92_b.jpg&f=1&nofb=1[/IMG] [/CENTER] One of the ancient world's most legendary trees, it has been mentioned in literature since the Neolithic Age. It is native to the primeval Cedar Mountains in the near East, and was the place where Gilgamesh journeyed in one of his quests. Its lumber was highly prized, and commonly used for ship building. If the written accounts are accurate, the trees standing many millennia ago were far larger than any specimens that are alive today, possibly rivaling the colossal Pacific Douglas Firs and Coastal Redwoods in size. Though there are a few other representatives of its genus, the magnificent Cedar of Lebanon is often perceived as the principle and foremost member of the True Cedars. Unlike the Alaskan Cedar, it is actually in the Pine Family. Its needles grow in whorled, burred clusters resembling a Larch, and the cones are erect and oblong shaped, much like a True Fir. The crown typically flattens with age, sometimes becoming multi-trunked and forming a graceful tiered shape with its foliage. It is related to Cedrus atlantica and Cedrus deodorus, both of which are much more common in cultivation for some inexplicable reason. It is unfortunately listed as vulnerable by IUCN: [URL]https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42305/2970821[/URL] [CENTER] [/CENTER] [/QUOTE]

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