Cedrus Libani is the oldest recorded tree in human history, first mentioned more than 45 centuries ago. While Adam & Eve’s apple tree may have more notoriety, the Cedar of Lebanon has much more prominence overall - referenced 72 times in the bible according to Google. These bowls are made from the historic Cedar of Lebanon at Tyler Arboretum that had to be removed in December of 2021 due to its declining health. Tyler’s staff graciously saved portions of the tree for us.

Josiah Hoopes, his brother Abner, and their accountant neighbor George Thomas founded Hoopes, Bro., and Thomas Co. in West Chester PA in the mid-1800’s. HB&T was one of the first nurseries to successfully package plants for shipping – surrounding them with damp moss and wrapping them in paper – and HB&T quickly became the largest commercial nursery in America, shipping via the postal system, railroad, and steamships. By the end of the century, they were sending plants to Europe, Australia, and the West Indian Islands, in addition to an order to Grover Cleveland’s White House in 1886. By 1913, the nursery had expanded to over 1,000 acres, starting at N. Franklin and E. Biddle Streets in West Chester and extending to the northwest.

HB&T was one of several plant sources for Jacob and Minshall Painter’s arboretum. On March 31, 1859, the Painters purchased a pair of Cedar of Lebanon trees for 50 cents, and 162 years later we were fortunate enough to get a piece of one of them.

Hoopes (photos 1-4): This bowl is approximately 8.5” in diameter x 2.5-6.25” deep with all its unique crevices, cracks & character.

Folds of Time (photos 5-9): This bowl is the second in a series coming from the historic Cedar of Lebanon at Tyler Arboretum. Tyler’s staff graciously saved portions of the tree for us, including a crotch that yielded the intense folded grain patterns. This bowl is approximately 12” in diameter x 3.5” deep with its unique grain pattern and a few original hairline cracks.

50 Cent (photos 9-10): Half a dollar is what the Painter Brothers paid for a Cedar of Lebanon tree purchased from Hoopes, Bro, and Thomas Nurseries of West Chester PA in 1859. 162 years later we were fortunate enough to get a few pieces of history. This bowl is approximately 6 3/8” in diameter x 2.5” deep with its unique grain pattern.

All our bowls are finished with Betty’s Board Butter (beeswax & food safe mineral oil). Clean with a damp cloth. Dry immediately. Re-oil occasionally.

To learn more about this particular tree go check out https://tylerarboretum.org/cedar-of-lebanon/ .