Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Cedar

CEDAR, or the Pinus Cedrus, L. a species of the pine-tree, usually called the Cedar of Libanon, is a native of Syria. It is an evergreen of the larger kind, bearing roundish cones, with smooth, erect scales, each fruit about five inches long, and four in circumference. The cedar attains a considerable size, and is said to arrive at a greater age than the oak. It appears to have been introduced into England towards the latter end of the 17th century, and may be easily propagated by seed; as it will grow on a poor sandy soil with a mixture of clay. Plantations of this beautiful tree might conduce to the ornament as well as convenience of domestic life: for the wood of cedar is not subject to the depredations of worms, and is admirably calculated to withstand the effects of moisture: hence attempts have been made to imitate it, by dying inferior wood of a red colour; but the fraud may be easily detected by the smell, as that of the cedar is very aromatic. Beside the numerous articles of the cabinet-maker and joiner, the wood of cedar is also made into moulds for black lead pencils.

There are two other varieties of this tree, namely, the red and white cedar, both of which are natives of America, and species of the juniper tree. The former has seminal varieties, some trees producing, as they grow up, leaves similar to those of the cypress, while others more resemble those of the juniper. It is a most durable wood, especially for posts, which, when once fixed in the ground, will stand unimpaired for a century. It was formerly in much request in America, for chests and wainscoting; but, its smell being rather disagreeable, it is now almost entirely disused.

The white cedar, from its very small cones, resembles the cypress. From its bark are gathered small lumps or grains of dry resin, called olibanum, or frankincense. The wood of this tree is much used in America for shingles, and has a sweet smell, not unlike cinnamon. Both these last mentioned varieties delight in a dry sandy soil; and, if planted in England, would add much to the beauty of the country.