Lebanon’s Famous Cedar Trees

Nestled in the beautiful mountains of Lebanon, just a a couple of hours inland from Beirut, Lebanon’s famous mountain cedar trees are symbolic of Lebanon and even feature on the national flag.

It is said they represent ‘Strength, a good root/base and have a beautiful scent’ – very much like the Lebanese people.

The oldest Cedars, and the most famous, are found in the Cedars of the Lord or Arz el Rab found 4km from Bcharre. 375 trees stand on Mount Makmel, some of them are 3000 years old, and with trunks measuring up to 14m around. They are called ‘Lord Trees’. The trees are surrounded by a stone wall to protect them, and there is a Maronite chapel (1843) in the centre.

Disease is the main killer of Cedar Trees, and they need regular inspections to ensure that they remain healthy. During the Civil War,fifty years ago the trees were not only neglected and left to die, they were also felled out of necessity as locals needed the wood for basic amenities (mainly just to survive). But once the war was over, people from all around the world came to Lebanon with the aim of restoring Lebanon’s lush Cedar forests. Its preservation is vital to the area, as the forest is surrounded by desert.

Visitors can become a volunteer with the Committee of Cedar Forest Friends, a project started in 1985. The Forest of Lebanon Cedar Friends is the first project in Lebanon and maybe worldwide, to bring together citizens of all countries and nationalities to participate in the plantation of Cedars and their well-being.

The organisation is working hard to preserve these ancient trees, so important that they are mentioned in the Bible.

Volunteers can take seeds from the Forest to the nursery where saplings are grown for 2-3 years. From there, they travel to the New Forest where the replanting is taking place. The aim is to have 60,000 trees and ensure that the Cedar Trees will survive for as long as possible.

The trees have always been vulnerable. During World War II, the British army use the cedarwood to build railroad tracks. As far back as the Egyptians, the trees’ oil was used for embalming.

Destination – Lebanon