Their wood has been historically valued for its durability and aromatic qualities, leading to its use in construction, furniture, and traditional crafts. Understanding the reproductive aspects of these trees, particularly their seeds, offers insights into their life cycle and propagation.
The Distinctive Look of Cedar Seeds
Cedar seeds exhibit specific characteristics that distinguish them, particularly the seeds of “true cedars” (genus Cedrus). These seeds are typically small, with a roughly triangular shape, and often appear pale. True cedar seeds can measure up to approximately 3/5 inch (1.5 cm) long and 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) wide. A notable feature is the broad, papery wing attached to the seed, which aids in their dispersal by wind.
Variations in seed appearance exist among different types of trees commonly referred to as “cedars.” For instance, true cedars like Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) or Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) possess these prominent winged seeds. In contrast, “false cedars” such as those in the Thuja genus (e.g., Eastern Arborvitae, also known as Northern White Cedar) have much smaller, lenticular (lens-shaped) seeds, usually measuring around 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) long, with a pair of narrow lateral wings or sometimes even wingless. Juniper species (Juniperus), another group often called cedars (like Eastern Red Cedar), produce berry-like cones that contain small, rounded or angled seeds, typically one to four per cone, which are not winged.
Where Cedar Seeds are Found
Cedar seeds develop within specialized structures on the tree known as cones. Like most conifers, cedars produce both male and female cones. Male cones, often smaller and less conspicuous, release pollen, typically in the autumn for true cedars. Female cones, which are larger and more robust, are where the seeds mature. These female cones are usually upright and barrel-shaped, ranging from 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12.7 cm) long for true cedars.
Seed maturation within these cones can take two to three years. As the seeds mature, the cone undergoes changes, with its scales relaxing and eventually disintegrating or opening to release the seeds. This dispersal typically occurs in late autumn to early winter. For true cedars, the mature cones often break apart while still on the tree, allowing individual cone scales and winged seeds to drop to the ground. In the case of junipers, the fleshy, berry-like cones are often consumed by birds, which then disperse the seeds through their droppings.
Identifying Cedar Seeds from Other Conifers
Distinguishing cedar seeds from those of other conifers involves observing key characteristics, particularly wing presence and type, seed shape, and cone structure. Most conifers, including pines, spruces, and firs, produce seeds with some form of wing for wind dispersal. Their specific morphology differs.
Pine seeds, for instance, are typically found within woody cones that remain intact until maturity, often having a more elongated or oval shape than true cedar seeds, with a less pronounced or differently shaped wing. Spruce seeds are generally smaller with a distinct, often twisted, wing, and their cones are typically cylindrical and hang downwards. Fir seeds are also winged, but their cones stand upright on branches and disintegrate upon maturity, similar to true cedars, though the seeds and their wings may differ in proportion. Unlike true cedars with their broad, papery wings, or the narrow wings of Thuja species, juniper seeds lack a prominent wing altogether and are instead enclosed within fleshy, berry-like cones that facilitate animal dispersal.