Blue Atlas Cedar
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca'
Leaves: Evergreen. 30 to 40 stiff needles are 1 inch long and grow in dense clusters off a spur or short twig like a firework. Bluish green to silvery-blue color.
Bark/Twigs: Dark gray furrowed bark. Smoother on younger branches.
Flowers/Fruit: Inconspicuous flowers in spring. Releases yellow pollen in the fall. Female cones are 2 to 3 inches long by 2 inches wide and only grow on upper branches. They start out purple-green and turn brown at maturity.
Mature size and shape: Large. 40 to 60 feet high x 30 to 40 feet wide. Pyramidal with slightly weeping limbs. Top flattens with age.
General information/special features: Plant in full sun. Moist, deep rich soil with good drainage is best. Adapts to sandy and clay soils if no standing water is present.
Landscape use and maintenance: Extremely elegant in form and color. Use as a specimen tree. Plant in a large, open area. Slow growing rate. Low maintenance. Difficult to transplant and establish.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 9
Family/Origin: Pinaceae – Pine. Native to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Algeria.
Campus Use: Common. Beautiful mature grove can be found south of Architecture (Bld 37) and north of Marcia & John Price Art Museum (Bld 35).