Deodar Cedar

(Cedrus deodara)

Timber of the gods
The deodar cedar is native to the Himalayan Mountains, where its local name is deodar, which translates from the original Sanskrit as "timber of the gods." It was officially introduced into cultivation about 1831, although it has been grown in Chinese parks and gardens for centuries.

Range
It is widely grown as an ornamental tree, and is often found in urban forests and parks and along highway medians.

Character
With its pyramidal shape, soft grayish-green needles and drooping branches, this cedar makes a graceful specimen. Growing rapidly to 40 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide, it also works well as a soft screen. Needles are borne in dense clusters on large, woody pegs and are 1 to 2 inches long.

Understory
At use in landscaping and urban settings, the understory is often determined by design.  However, native species of shrubs and trees should be removed to reduce competition and improve growing conditions.

Climate
General cultivation is limited to areas with mild winters, as these trees are frequently killed by temperatures below −13 °F. Prefers sunny and well-drained locations.

Management
The deodar cedar does well in dry, sunny spots and will tolerate high pH and clay soil. Cold-damaged trees die back at the top. Deodar cedar grows best in acidic, loamy, well drained, sandy to clay soils. Once established in the landscape it is considered drought-tolerant. This evergreen makes an excellent landscape specimen tree if space is available.

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9755 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 210        
Portland, OR 97225        
Phone: 971-673-2944        
Fax: 971-673-2946

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