LEBANON: CEDAR TREES FACE EXTINCTION.

Record ID: 862592

  • Title: LEBANON: CEDAR TREES FACE EXTINCTION.
  • Date: 4th January 1986
  • Summary: BESHARRE, LEBANON DECEMBER 18, 1985 (REUTERS - MARWAN KHOURY) GV PAN Cedar trees GV ZOOM Protruding roots of tree (2 shots) SV PAN Dead cedar tree SV ZOOM IN Dying branches of trees SV ZOOM INTO Broken-off branch of tree GV Remains of rotted tree trunk CU ZOOM OUT Snow on rotted cedar tree that has been felled (1.33) CC/BB
  • Embargoed: 19th January 1986 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BESHARRE, LEBANON
  • City:
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Environment,Industry
  • Reuters ID: LVAAEGZYYR5ZKIDF4ZTHKK0E823L
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Lebanon's national symbol, the cedar tree, is believed to be facing extinction as a result of being infested by worms. Environmentalists have said the trees, especially around the town of Besharre, in the north of the country, are dying off rapidly. The main group of about 400 trees which form the largest grove of cedars in Lebanon began withering six months ago. Residents of the area believe the grove is at least two thousand years old and they consider it a sacred shrine. But environmentalists who have examined the trees said the Thaumetopea Libanotica worms were laying eggs in the roots and branches of the evergreens, causing them to yellow and die. A campaign to save the country's national symbol was launched in August last year by environmental researchers George and Henriette Tomeh from Beirut University. They said the area was a popular picnic spot, but people continually squashed an insect which was nature's way of eliminating the deadly worms. Now there are no insects to eat the worms and the roots are exposed because there is also no soil to protect them. Historically the cedar trees timber was used by the Hebrews to build the Temple of Solomon. Assyrians, Persians, Phoenicians and the Romans all stripped the forests for their sailing fleets.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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