Cedrus atlantica

Cedrus atlantica, commonly known as the Atlas Cedar, is a species of cedar native to the Tell Atlas in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and in the Rif, Middle Atlas, and the High Atlas in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Most modern sources consider the Atlas Cedar as its own species, Cedrus atlantica,     while others treat it as a subspecies of Cedrus libani, as 'C. libani'' subsp. atlantica'''.

Description
It is a medium to large-sized tree, reaching 30-35 m, sometimes 40 m tall, with a trunk diameter of about 1$1/2$-2 m. Cedrus atlantica is very similar in all characters as other cedars; differences are hard to realize. The mean cone size is usually somewhat smaller, recorded to 12 cm, but rarely reaches over 9 cm long, compared to 10 cm in Cedrus brevifolia and 12 cm in Cedrus libani, though with considerable overlap (all of these can be as short as 6 cm). The leaf-length of Cedrus atlantica is about 10-25 mm long, similar to that of Cedrus libani subsp. stenocoma, longer than those of Cedrus brevifolia and shorter than Cedrus libani subsp. libani, but again, there is a considerable overlap.

Ecology
The Atlas Cedar forms forests on mountain sides at altitudes from 1,370 to 2,200 m, often in pure forests or mixed with the Algerian Fir (Abies numidica), Juniperus oxycedrus, the Holm Oak (Quercus ilex), and Acer opalus. These forests also provide habitats for the endangered Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus), a primate that had a much wider distribution during prehistoric times in northern Morocco and Algeria.

Ornamental usage
Cedrus atlantica is commonly cultivated as an ornamental tree in temperate areas. In gardens, glaucous forms of the trees are often planted as ornamentals, distinguished as the Glauca Group, a cultivar group of the tree. Erect, pendulous, golden-leaf forms also exist in cultivation, though most cultivars have blue leaves. It is useful in cultivation because it is more tolerant of heat and drought than most other conifers. It is used as a street tree such as in Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena, California.

Many, yet far from all, of the cultivated Atlas Cedars have glaucous (bluish) foliage, more downy shoots, and have more leaves in each whorl; the young trees in cultivation usually have more ascending branches than many Atlas Cedars.

An Atlas Cedar was planted, and still is, planted at the White House South Lawn in Washington, D.C. President Jimmy Carter ordered a tree house built in the cedar for his daughter, Amy. The wooden structure was designed by Carter himself, and is self supporting so it does not damage the tree.

Forestry
Cedar plantations, mainly with the Atlas Cedar, have been created in France for timber production.

Cultural references
George Harrison references the tree in his song "Beware of Darkness".