Cedrus atlantica is a woody species present in France, which in a context of climate change can be privileged in the next years. In addition, this woody species presents great ecological and socio-economic interest as it is mainly recognized for its durable timbers and its essential oil presenting some interesting chemical properties. Therefore, the studies of its heartwood formation and properties of its extractives are interesting, spite of very few studies have been conducted till now. The radial repartition of water/acetone extractives within the tree (bark, sapwood, transition wood, outer heartwood and inner heartwood), at different tree height levels, were screened. HPLC analyses were performed, especially to characterized flavonoid compounds of these extractives fractions. The radial variation of the extractive composition obtained, highlighted the phenomenon of heartwood formation. Hypotheses on the metabolic pathways involved in the heartwood formation process of cedar wood were suggested, especially based on the occurrence and the radial evolution of catechin, taxifolin and flavan compounds. Then, the antifungal and anti-termite activities of the extracts were tested. The water/acetone extractives from Cedrus atlantica showed a strong repellent activity against termites and a moderate antifungal activity against crops and fruits pathogens. Thus, the results show a possible valorisation of the extractives of the Atlas cedar, as wood preservatives and/or as biocontrol products against pathogens of lignocellulosic agricultural crops.

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