Cedar of Lebanon Cedrus libani

The cedar of Lebanon is one Britain's most recognisable and oldest tree imports. The fame of this magnificent conifer has doubtless been helped by the Bible, in which it is mentioned more than any other tree.

The cedar of Lebanon, or Cedrus libani, was introduced to Britain as long as ago as 1638 but its fame was already assured by the numerous references to it in the Bible. Its moniker could be slightly misleading to the uninformed as it is named after the trees found on the slopes of Mount Lebanon in Syria. However, it does also grow in the country Lebanon, which has a picture of the cedar on its flag.

These large conifers were used extensively for building in Biblical times, perhaps most notably for King Solomon's Palace and the Temple of Jerusalem. Great swathes of cedar forest were cut down to fulfil this work and what is believed to be an ancient grove of Cedrus libani still exists on Mount Lebanon, which is now preserved.

Despite its early introduction to British soils, popularity of the tree did not really take off until the early 19th century. This was partly due to some extremely severe frosts in 1740, and partly due to the efforts of an 18th century landscape gardener known as 'Capability' Brown. He designed more than 170 parks and gardens in England, planting cedars in many of them.

Its place as one the great ornamental trees of the British landscape has not changed over the years. Indeed it is hard to imagine a large park or stately garden without at least one of these impressive and imposing specimens. Growing up to 40m (130ft) it is instantly recognisable for its flat top and level branches, rising up like platforms across the breadth of the tree. Closer inspection reveals yet further indications of its identity with its large, upright, barrel-shaped cones growing from the branches.