Britannica Sources used in this answer

Where do true cedars grow naturally?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

True cedars, which belong to the genus Cedrus, are native to specific mountainous regions rather than being widespread globally. There are four species of true cedars, and their natural distribution is as follows:

  • Mediterranean Region: Three species are native to the mountainous areas of this region.1
  • Western Himalayas: One species, the deodar (C. deodara), is native to this area.1

The four recognized species of true cedars are the Atlas cedar (C. atlantica), the Cyprus cedar (C. brevifolia), the deodar, and the cedar of Lebanon. While many other evergreen conifers are commonly referred to as "cedars" due to their aromatic wood, they are distinct from these true members of the Pinaceae family.12