Which tree is the national symbol of Lebanon and appears on its national flag?

The Cedar of Lebanon is the tree that serves as Lebanon’s national symbol and appears on its national flag.

Cedrus libani is a large evergreen conifer native to the mountains of Lebanon, Syria, and southern Turkey. Mature trees can develop broad, horizontal branches and a flat-topped crown. The species prefers mountainous conditions and can live for centuries, although its historical range has been reduced by logging, agriculture, grazing, and changing land use.

Cedar wood was prized in the ancient Near East for construction, shipbuilding, and religious buildings. Historical traditions associate Lebanese cedar with major building projects, including the Temple of Solomon, although specific ancient timber sources are difficult to verify.

The flag’s green cedar represents endurance, longevity, and national identity. The Cedar of Lebanon is sometimes confused with other “cedars,” such as the Atlas cedar or deodar. Those trees are also in the genus Cedrus, but they are different species with different native ranges.