Cedar of Lebanon

Scientific name: Cedrus libani

Overview

Cedar of Lebanon is a Mediterranean conifer with a long history as a timber tree. Native forests occur from southern Turkey to Lebanon, while planted trees are familiar in parks and estates beyond that range. It is a true cedar, distinct from the unrelated trees also sold under cedar names. Documented origin is particularly valuable when collecting or buying this timber.

Quick Facts

  • Common Name: Cedar of Lebanon
  • Scientific Name: Cedrus libani
  • Family: Pinaceae
  • Native Range: Southern Turkey, Syria and Lebanon
  • Wood Type: Softwood
  • Air-Dried Density: 574 kg/m³ for juvenile wood and 588 kg/m³ for mature wood in a Turkish study; these are study values, not a universal average
  • Janka Hardness: Reliable species-specific value not established
  • Identification Note: A true cedar in the Cedrus genus

Identification Characteristics

The living tree offers clearer species clues than a cedar trade label. Confirm needles, cones and provenance; aromatic softwood appearance alone cannot separate all true cedars.

Key identification traits include:

  • Stiff needles about 2–4 cm long, clustered on short shoots.
  • Upright, barrel-shaped female cones about 8–12 cm long.
  • Spreading branches, often more or less horizontal on mature trees.
  • Coniferous end grain lacks the large vessel pores of hardwoods.

Working Properties

Tests of Turkish-grown wood show differences between juvenile and mature material in density and shrinkage. Account for the actual board’s grain, knots and drying history, and avoid treating one published density as a guarantee of performance.

  • Use sharp tools and light finishing passes, particularly near knots.
  • Dry carefully, seal fresh ends and inspect for checking or distortion.
  • Acclimate before final joinery and test adhesives and finishes on offcuts.
  • Use graded timber and appropriate design values for structural work.

Safety Note

Use effective dust extraction and suitable respiratory and eye protection when machining or sanding. Wood dust can irritate the skin and respiratory tract; stop work if a reaction develops.

Common Uses

The species has been valued for timber since antiquity. Contemporary material should be selected and tested for its intended application, especially where structural strength or outdoor service is involved.

  • Traditional timber and architectural woodworking.
  • Small indoor joinery and decorative craft trials.
  • Authenticated wood collections and comparative cedar studies.
  • Large specimen trees in parks and gardens.

Sustainability & Notes

Forest Research reports fragmented natural stands and lists the species as Vulnerable. Prefer documented plantation material or authorized salvage, and confirm harvest and export permissions. Cultivated trees outside the native range may provide samples without placing pressure on remaining wild forests.

Comparative Notes & Related Species

Related Guides

Compare Wood Properties

See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.

Collector Notes

Record whether the sample came from a native forest, plantation or ornamental tree. Preserve the botanical identification and locality, together with face-grain and end-grain photographs. Note juvenile versus mature wood when known, since this can affect measured properties.

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Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.

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Wood Sample Collection

This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.

Learn more about contributing to the collection:

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Resources

Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:

• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/

• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/

• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/

• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/

Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.

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Availability & Where to Buy

Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.

As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.

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