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According to local historian Doreen Willcocks, in Barnet’s History in its Street Names’ (1994), “some people remember a cedar tree nearby.” Aerial photos taken in April 1946 would appear to confirm this, with a mature coniferous tree clearly visible outside number 19. Cedrus, commonly known as cedar, is a genus of coniferous trees belonging to the Pinaceae family. Native to the western Himalayas and Mediterranean regions, they grow at high altitudes and are renowned for their fragrant, durable wood and aesthetic appeal. The genus includes four main species: Cedrus atlantica (Atlas cedar), Cedrus brevifolia (Cyprian cedar), Cedrus deodara (Deodar cedar), and Cedrus libani (Lebanon cedar). Cedars are identified by their needle-like leaves, which form dense clusters, and their distinct barrel-shaped cones, which disintegrate to release seeds. Cedar wood is historically and commercially valued for its strength, resistance to decay, and aromatic qualities, making it popular for use in construction, furniture, and as insect-resistant storage. These trees are also cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens and parks due to their striking appearance. Additionally, certain cedar species play cultural and religious roles in their native regions; for example, the Lebanon cedar is symbolic in Lebanon’s culture and featured on its national flag. Cedars are also suited to bonsai cultivation.
