The Atlas Cedar tree (Cedrus atlantica) is a very close relative of the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani). Its native range is in Northern Morocco and especially the Atlas mountains from which it derives its common name. It is also found in Southern Spain as well.
Atlas cedar is a primary source of timber in Morocco. Another use for this tree is as a source of essential oil that it rich in rich in himachalenes (70%). It is also used in the production of perfumes. The Cedarwood essential oil is extracted by steam distilation and can be produced from the sawdust, chips and cutoffs that is left over after the logs are milled.
Although it is difficult to tell an Atlas cedar from a Lebanese Cedar they are both easily distiguished from other evergreen tree species and especially from other trees that go by the name cedar. Atlas cedars can be identified by their "rosettes" (clusters of needles on a short stem). These rosettes have 30-40 needles each that are about 3/4 of an inch long. In contast Himalayan cedars have fewer needles on the rosettes and longer needles.
Some trees that go by the name "Cedar" but are not members of the Cedrus genus are...
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