FIREWOOD LOGS - Cedar - A GUIDE TO BURNING FIREWOOD
Cedar Needs to be fully dried. Full of snap
and crackle. It gives little flame but
much heat and the scent is
beautiful.
Cedar (Cedrus libani) is a majestic evergreen conifer native to Lebanon and the eastern coast of the Mediterranean and Asia Minor.
It is often planted in the parks and gardens of large estates.
What does cedar look like?
Cedar has a distinct shape, with several trunks and clear horizontal layers in its structure. Mature trees can grow to 35m. The bark is blackish-brown with closely spaced ridges and cracks, and twigs are brown and slightly hairy. The dark green leaves are needle like with transparent tips, and arranged in spirals around side shoots in rosettes or clusters.
Cedar is monoecious, meaning both male and female flowers are found on the same tree. Once pollinated by wind, the female flowers develop into a green cone, which becomes purple-grey and finally brown when mature, up to 12 months after pollination. Cones are 8-12cm long and are often produced every other year.
Interesting fact: cedar wood is used as an insect repellant in its native Lebanon.
Value to wildlife
Cedar is not considered to be particularly valuable to wildlife.
Mythology and symbolism
Cedar was thought to represent purification and protection, and represents incorruptibility and eternal life. It was apparently a Jewish custom to burn cedar wood to celebrate New year.
How we use cedar
In the UK, cedar was planted in nearly every stately home and mansion from the 1740s onwards, however it is not commonly planted today.
Today cedar is used for its hard, durable wood, which retains a sweet fragrance for many years. An oil similar to turpentine can be obtained from the wood.
Threats
Cedar may be susceptible to honey fungus and is also prone to aphid attack.
