Common Name: Deodar

General Information

Cedrus deodara is an evergreen tree that can grow around 33 metres tall.
The Deodar is a very important timber tree in Pakistan, Kashmir and NW India. Its strong and durable wood is mostly used for construction. The plant is also harvested in large quantities from the wild for medicinal use, being traded in local markets[]. It is sometimes cultivated for timber in some parts of southern Europe[], and is also grown as an ornamental - there are several named forms, some of which are dwarf-growing and suitable for smaller gardens.
Logging of Cedrus deodara undoubtedly affected the population, presumably removing the bigger trees in those areas most extensively logged. Regeneration has occurred in many areas and there are still many extensive forests left. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - northwestern Afghanistan, southwestern China, northern Pakistan to Nepal.

Habitat

Found in a wide range of habitats, growing on a variety of alpine lithosols, in various woodland types, sometimes forming pure stands in the drier areas of the Himalayas; at elevations from 1,300 - 3,300 metres[, , ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	33.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cedrus deodara is not a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -10°c when fully dormant
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 late spring to early autumn 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[].
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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The heartwood is carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic and expectorant[, ]. A decoction of the wood is used in the treatment of fevers, flatulence, pulmonary and urinary disorders, rheumatism, piles, kidney stones, insomnia, diabetes etc[, ]. It has been used as an antidote to snake bites[, ].

The plant yields a medicinal essential oil by distillation of the wood, it is used in the treatment of phthisis, bronchitis, blennorrhagia and skin eruptions[, , ]. A resin obtained from the wood is used externally to treat bruises, skin diseases and injuries to joints[].

The bark is astringent. It has proved useful in the treatment of fevers, diarrhoea and dysentery[, ].
In Ayurvedic medicine the leaves are used in the treatment of tuberculosis[].

An oil obtained from the seed is diaphoretic[]. It is applied externally to treat skin diseases[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fairly wind-tolerant tree, it can be used in shelterbelt plantings[].

Other Uses

A fragrant oil can be distilled from wood chips and sawdust[]. It is used medicinally.

The aromatic wood is moderately hard, durable, fine and even grained. Resistant to termites, it is used especially for construction,but is also used for general carpentry, furniture, boats etc[, , , , , ].
A valuable timber, but a poor fuel, producing a lot of smoke as it burns[, ].

Propagation

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 late autumn but they are very difficult[].