Cedrus deodara Deodar Cedar - Environmental Horticulture ...

<strong>Cedrus</strong> <strong>deodara</strong><br />

<strong>Deodar</strong> <strong>Cedar</strong> 1<br />

Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson 2<br />

INTRODUCTION<br />

With its pyramidal shape, soft grayish-green (or<br />

blue) needles and drooping branches, this cedar makes<br />

a graceful specimen or accent tree (Fig. 1). Growing<br />

rapidly to 40 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide, it<br />

also works well as a soft screen. The trunk stays<br />

fairly straight with lateral branches nearly horizontal<br />

and drooping. Lower branches should be left on the<br />

tree so the true form of the tree can show. Allow<br />

plenty of room for these to spread. They are best<br />

located as a lawn specimen away from walks, streets,<br />

and sidewalks so branches will not have to be pruned.<br />

Large specimens have trunks almost three feet in<br />

diameter and spread to 50 feet across.<br />

GENERAL INFORMATION<br />

Scientific name: <strong>Cedrus</strong> <strong>deodara</strong><br />

Pronunciation: SEE-drus dee-oh-DAR-uh<br />

Common name(s): <strong>Deodar</strong> <strong>Cedar</strong><br />

Family: Pinaceae<br />

USDA hardiness zones: 7 through 9A (Fig. 2)<br />

Origin: not native to North America<br />

Uses: wide tree lawns (>6 feet wide); recommended<br />

for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip<br />

plantings in the highway; screen; specimen; residential<br />

street tree<br />

Figure 1. Young <strong>Deodar</strong> <strong>Cedar</strong>.<br />

Availability: generally available in many areas within<br />

its hardiness range DESCRIPTION<br />

Fact Sheet ST-134<br />

November 1993<br />

Height: 40 to 60 feet<br />

Spread: 20 to 30 feet<br />

Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a<br />

regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more<br />

1. This document is adapted from Fact Sheet ST-134, a series of the <strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Horticulture</strong> Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service,<br />

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: November 1993.<br />

2. Edward F. Gilman, associate professor, <strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Horticulture</strong> Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural Engineering<br />

Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

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<strong>Cedrus</strong> <strong>deodara</strong> -- <strong>Deodar</strong> <strong>Cedar</strong> Page 2<br />

Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.<br />

or less identical crown forms<br />

Crown shape: pyramidal<br />

Crown density: moderate<br />

Growth rate: fast<br />

Texture: fine<br />

Foliage<br />

Leaf arrangement: spiral (Fig. 3)<br />

Leaf type: simple<br />

Leaf margin: entire<br />

Leaf shape: needle-like (filiform)<br />

Leaf venation: parallel<br />

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen; needle leaf<br />

evergreen<br />

Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches<br />

Leaf color: green; silver<br />

Fall color: no fall color change<br />

Fall characteristic: not showy<br />

Flower<br />

Flower characteristics: inconspicuous and not<br />

showy; spring flowering<br />

Fruit<br />

Fruit shape: oval<br />

Fruit length: 3 to 6 inches<br />

Fruit covering: dry or hard<br />

Fruit color: brown<br />

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; no<br />

significant litter problem; persistent on the tree; showy<br />

Trunk and Branches<br />

Trunk/bark/branches: droop as the tree grows, and<br />

will require pruning for vehicular or pedestrian<br />

clearance beneath the canopy; not particularly showy;<br />

should be grown with a single leader; no thorns<br />

Pruning requirement: needs little pruning to develop<br />

a strong structure<br />

Breakage: resistant<br />

Current year twig color: brown; green<br />

Current year twig thickness: medium<br />

Culture<br />

Light requirement: tree grows in full sun<br />

Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; slightly alkaline;<br />

acidic; occasionally wet; well-drained

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<strong>Cedrus</strong> <strong>deodara</strong> -- <strong>Deodar</strong> <strong>Cedar</strong> Page 3<br />

Figure 3. Foliage of <strong>Deodar</strong> <strong>Cedar</strong>.<br />

Drought tolerance: high<br />

Other<br />

Roots: surface roots are usually not a problem<br />

Winter interest: no special winter interest<br />

Outstanding tree: tree has outstanding ornamental<br />

features and could be planted more<br />

Invasive potential: little, if any, potential at this time<br />

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: not known to be<br />

susceptible<br />

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not<br />

affected by pests<br />

USE AND MANAGEMENT<br />

The tree has been successfully used as a street or<br />

median planting with lower branches removed. It<br />

appears to tolerate compacted, poor soil but declines in<br />

areas where smog is a problem. Plant on 20-footcenters<br />

to create a canopy of blue foliage over a small<br />

residential street. This is probably the best true cedar<br />

for the South.<br />

Transplants easily if root-pruned or from a<br />

container and protected from sweeping winds. It does<br />

well in dry, sunny spots and will tolerate high pH and<br />

clay soil. Cold-damaged trees die back at the top.<br />

There are numerous attractive cultivars. ‘Kashmir’<br />

has silvery foliage and is hardy in USDA hardiness<br />

zone 6; ‘Aurea’ has yellow leaves (looks ill);<br />

‘Pendula’ has long, drooping leaves; ‘Robusta’ has<br />

stiffer twigs.<br />

Pests and Diseases<br />

No pests or diseases are of major concern.<br />

Perhaps scales, borers, deodar weevils, and bagworms.<br />

Following a cold winter, tops often decline and<br />

dieback in USDA hardiness zone 7. Secondary fungi<br />

can sometimes be associated with this decline.