Botany
Pinaceae
Described in 1565 but known since Roman times, it is cultivated in parks and gardens and is an evergreen tree that can reach up to 30 meters, with linear, pointed leaves grouped in bundles of 10-20 on short brachyblasts. Young branches are hairless, cones are 7-12 cm long, and the cones are elliptical.
The Cedar of Lebanon is a magnificent tree with a dense, dark green evergreen crown, with branches that reach down to cover the powerful trunk. The trunk is very aromatic, as are its cones, which are highly resinous and, when on the ground, resemble wooden roses.
History
The Cedar of Lebanon is mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh, but the first to use it extensively were the Phoenicians, who built their ships from it. Following them were the Egyptians, the Jews (who under Solomon used it for their Temple), and then the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, Arabs, Turks, and finally the Lebanese.
Due to its extensive use and slow growth, the Cedar of Lebanon is undoubtedly one of the plants that have repeatedly risked extinction, to the point that it is still considered “vulnerable” today. Not surprisingly, even Emperor Hadrian in ancient times ordered the establishment of a protected area for this tree, a tradition that continues today with the establishment of four protected areas in Lebanon.
The Tree at Castelgandolfo
In the gardens, large Cedars are found almost everywhere, especially in the Park areas, and are particularly present when descending from Villa Cibo towards the rose avenue. When the Cedar grows isolated, it can extend its wonderful crown fully and, in the middle of a meadow or clearing, it fills the space with its imposing elegance.
General symbolism
In the Constitutiones written in 1080 by Blessed Rodolphus to transmit the teachings of St. Romuald, there is a part that talks about the “meaning of the seven trees.” Seven plants are listed and their characteristics symbolically interpreted as spiritual virtues. One of the seven plants that the Camaldolese monk must particularly love and cultivate is the cedar, a symbol of holiness and sincerity.
Originally from Asia Minor, Syria, and the Urals, known in Roman times but widely cultivated only at the end of the 18th century, the Cedar of Lebanon has, since the 8th century, been a tree of great symbolic attributions, often contrasting. Indeed, the whole tree symbolizes Christ and the Church for its majesty and fragrance, or the wood that does not decay represents the humanity of Christ that did not undergo the corruption of death. It has been brought to symbolize Angels, Saints, Gentiles, but also Judas, the power of temporal authority, heretics, and the devil.
It has been a symbol of eternity (6th century), indicated as the tree of Paradise (11th century), a symbol of greatness, divinity, and beauty of the Virgin Mary, of the Immaculate Conception (13th century).
In the Babylonian Talmud, there is an opinion that it was the cedar that was the fruit of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
For the Jewish people, it was an emblem of greatness, power, and incorruptibility, and as such, it was widely used to build sacred buildings or symbols of temporal power, as indicated in the Song of Songs “King Solomon made himself a palanquin from the wood of Lebanon” (3:9-10).
The Cedar is the prince of trees in the Old Testament, the temple had many parts made of cedar, Ezekiel (17:22) “says the Lord God: I will take a sprig from the top of a cedar, from the tips of its branches I will pluck a sprig and plant it on a high, lofty mountain; I will plant it on Israel’s high mountain. It will sprout branches and bear fruit and become a magnificent cedar: Under it, all kinds of birds will live, every winged creature will rest in the shade of its branches.”
For Ezekiel, the cedar is also a symbol of the fleeting power of Egypt (31: 1-14), an eagle, a symbol of John the Evangelist, flies over Lebanon and carries a piece of wood torn from the top of a cedar (17: 22-23): Lebanon is the heavenly homeland, and the wood is Jehoiachin deported to exile in Babylon. From him, a vine sprout will grow. “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a Cedar of Lebanon” (Psalm 92:12).
Medicinal importance
The leaves of the cedar have a refreshing aroma due to the presence of essential oils, such as α-pinene and limonene, which give them antioxidant and antibacterial properties. These aromatic compounds not only contribute to the pleasant scent of the cedar but have also been shown to have positive effects on the respiratory system.
In addition to its aromatic properties, the cedar is particularly known for its antiseptic qualities. Cedar extracts have been used for centuries to treat wounds and prevent infections due to their anti-infective and antibacterial properties. The compounds present in cedar can reduce bacterial proliferation and help with dermatitis and skin infections.
Moreover, cedar contains substances that promote relaxation and mental well-being. The aroma of cedar has been associated with a reduction in stress and anxiety and can help create a relaxing and calming atmosphere.
In Ayurvedic medicine, cedar has been used to alleviate asthma, reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing. In traditional Chinese medicine, cedar has been used to treat ailments such as headaches, insomnia, and muscle pain.
In many indigenous cultures, cedar is considered a sacred tree, and its leaves, bark, and needles have been used to prepare teas and infusions for treating physical ailments and for spiritual purposes.
The Tree in the Pope mission
In a long interview that Pope Francis gave to the director of “La Civiltà Cattolica,” Father Antonio Spadaro, Pope Francis defines the Church “as a field hospital. It’s true: how many wounded there are, how many wounded! So many people who need their wounds healed! “I see the Church as a field hospital after a battle. It’s useless to ask a seriously injured person if they have high cholesterol and sugars! You have to heal their wounds. Then we can talk about everything else. Heal the wounds, heal the wounds… And you have to start from the bottom.” The characteristic of the Cedar that heals wounds and its majesty and elegance make it a tree that underscores the healing capacity of the evangelical message. The wood of this tree does not rot and is therefore suitable for the ever-fresh and relevant message of Christ, as well as a symbol of His Resurrection: “9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure, 10 for you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.” (Psalm 16).
Furthermore, the majesty of this tree suggests the greatness and universality of the Church’s evangelizing action.