Cedrus Libani (Lebanese cedar)

Planted in 1820 by Jean Edouard Naville (1787–1851)

Commemorative plaque

Lebanon Cedar – “Remarkable” Trees – Global Warming

The Lebanon Cedar of Les Vollandes stands proudly on Avenue de Frontenex, in front of the former Naville residence. It is one of some 200 trees in the canton recognized as “remarkable”. Cedrus Libani, now 206 years old, was planted in 1820 on the Montchoisy estate by Jean-Edouard Naville, a Geneva politician who served notably as mayor of Eaux-Vives (1809–1817). In 1735, the oldest cedars in the canton and in Switzerland were planted in Beaulieu Park, using seeds imported from England. The Lebanese cedar is endangered due to global warming and massive deforestation: less than 5% of the original cedar forest remains in Lebanon. The plaque on Geneva’s Cedrus Libani highlights its uniqueness and confers upon it an identity, as well as cultural and historical value.

Written by: Camille Thibaut