The cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) is one of the most legendary trees in human history. Mentioned over 70 times in the Bible and revered by ancient civilizations from the Phoenicians to the Egyptians, the cedar has been a symbol of strength, eternity, and natural beauty for millennia.
Today, the remaining cedar forests are protected UNESCO sites, but they represent only a fraction of the vast forests that once covered the mountains of Lebanon. The story of the cedar is intimately tied to the story of human civilization itself — our needs, our ambitions, and our growing awareness of the need for conservation.
The Phoenicians used cedar wood to build their legendary ships that sailed the Mediterranean. The Egyptians used cedar resin in the mummification process. The Ottoman Empire used it for railway construction. This history of exploitation nearly drove the cedar to extinction, but conservation efforts since the 19th century have helped preserve the remaining groves — living libraries of genetic and cultural heritage.
