Blue Atlas Cedar
Blue Atlas Cedar Trees are the most popular of all Atlas Cedar Trees. They are a majestic evergreen tree with flat-topped limbs covered in patches of silvery blue-green needles.
The Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) takes its name from the Atlas Mountains of Northern Africa, from which it is native. In 1827 on a visit to Tangier, Morocco, English botanist P.B. Web discovered the Blue Atlas cedar. By 1840, Britain and Europe began to cultivate the tree, which was later introduced to local nurseries in the United States.
Oil extracted from the Blue Atlas Cedar was used by ancient Egyptians for embalming, cosmetics, perfumery, incense, and medicinal purposes. The natural aroma serves as an insect repellent, making the wood a popular choice for modern furniture builders.
These evergreen conifers need plenty of room to grow. In the garden, the Blue Atlas Cedar grows quickly to about 20 feet and then begins to spread upwards of 35 feet across, so setting the perfect location for this tree is critical.Â
It is a good idea to fertilize in the spring every other year with a well-balanced solution. Fertilizing in the early spring to early summer helps promote growth, but it is not required for the success of your specimen.
While these trees are very drought tolerant, they have a particularly slow growth habit without adequate moisture levels during the initial establishment period. Therefore, it is important to plant them in well-draining soil and water.
This tree’s drought tolerance makes it an especially great addition to the full-sun areas of your landscape that you want to brighten up. Keep in mind that staking young trees is recommended to minimize the stress on the stem from winds blowing the tree.
The striking blue foliage and pyramidal form that the Blue Atlas Cedar offers make it a great choice for a specimen or garden accent. Its blue color especially stands out when placed with complimentary colored plants.
