Specimen - Cedrus Deodara - Deodar Cedar

Thrives on most soils, being very tolerant of dry sites and of drought when it is established. Succeeds in very chalky soils. Prefers a rich loam or a sandy clay in full sun. Succeeds in warm dry areas with less than 40cm of rain a year, but also in areas with cool summers and up to 200cm of rain. Dislikes atmospheric pollution. Plants are fairly wind tolerant. This species is the least hardy of the genus and does not always succeed outdoors in Britain although some clones are hardy down to zone 5 and grow well in this country. The hardiest forms come from the west of its range. Trees thrive best in the cooler and moister areas of Britain. Small trees less than 50cm tall establish much more quickly and better than taller trees, those that are more than 2 metres tall are difficult to establish. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance. Plants are said to live for up to 600 years in the wild. New growth takes place from May to the end of September and can exceed 1 metre per year, slowing down as the tree gets larger and virtually ceasing by the time the tree is 20 metres tall. This species is sometimes cultivated for timber in some parts of S. Europe. Small male cones are formed on the lower branches of trees, whilst the larger female cones are formed on higher branches. These female cones persist on the tree for 2 - 3 years before breaking up. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus. The whole plant is aromatic.

The Deodar Cedar tree can become an immense tree in its native Himalayan habitat. There, at approximately 4000 feet, it has been known to reach 250 feet in height. It was introduced to Europe in 1822 and to the United States nine years later.

Height - 70'

Spread - 35'

Woodland Garden; Canopy;

The Deodar Cedar grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well drained, clay soils.

Normal moisture requirements; good drought tolerance.

The Deodar Cedar tree makes an excellent specimen tree for landscapes because of its pleasing shape and attractive silver-green coloring. The tree also makes a fast growing and soft wind screen and has been successfully used as a street tree with the lower branches pruned for pedestrian traffic. An excellent evergreen with graceful pendulous branches. Pyramidal form when young, wide-spreading and flat-topped in old age, often reaching 70' in height.

Flower Color: Greenish-purple; nondescript.

Bloom Time: April-May.

Fruit Description: The fruit is oval; 3 to 6 inches long; dry and hard.

Plant: Crushed Dried - The whole plant is aromatic.

The Deodar Cedar provides nesting sites, cover and food for mammals and birds such as the woodpecker.

A fairly wind-tolerant tree, it can be used in shelterbelt plantings. Wood - moderately hard, durable, aromatic, fine and even grained. Resistant to termites, it is used for construction, furniture, boats etc. A valuable timber, but a poor fuel, producing a lot of smoke as it burns.

Seed - collect the cones in winter and keep in a warm room until they open. Sow immediately in a cold frame. One report says that a short cold stratification of one month improves germination rates. Keep the seed pot moist, but be careful because the young seedlings are very prone to damp off, keep them well ventilated. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Give them some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors. Cuttings of terminal shoots can be tried in a frame in November but they are very difficult.