46. Chapter House Cedar
Although it is 220 years old, the cedar of Lebanon next to St Albans’ Cathedral is smaller than some, but much loved by those who know it.
The Chapter House Cedar is undoubtedly St Alban's favourite tree. It is an old and unruly cedar of Lebanon, its shape is said to be the result of nineteenth century vandalism. Although not as huge as some, its prime position next to the cathedral is eye-catching. It is known the tree was planted on 25 March 1803 by the Dowager Countess Spencer making it one of the older examples of this characterful species in Britain or Ireland.
Species details
Cedar of Lebanon
Cedrus libani
Where to find it
Waxhouse Gate, St Albans AL1 1BT
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Cedar of Lebanon notes
People have admired these handsome conifers for millennia, first for their timber, and now, when there are very few left growing in their original habitats in Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, for their cultural and environmental value.
Cedars of Lebanon arrived in England in the 1600s. They were the first of the cedars (the others being the deodar and the atlas cedar) to arrive, and a tree planted at Wilton House near Salisbury in 1638, but felled in 1874, is the first to be documented. Another veteran planted in 1646 still grows at Childrey Rectory in Oxfordshire, otherwise there are a smattering of eighteenth century trees. It is thought that particularly cold winters in the mid 1700s saw for many, thus explaining why most old landmark cedars of Lebanon are less than 250 years old.
"...there are very few left growing in their original habitats in Turkey, Syria and Lebanon." Oh that is sad. Do we know why?