Devdar - Deodar tree in English | Cedrus deodara | Cedar trees

Deodar tree 

Deodar tree in English, Deodar tree information in English, or Devdar in English is the information about Cedrus deodara or about Cedar trees. It is also called as Tree of Gods. Himalayan cedar and Devadar is its Hindi name. Its botanical name is Cedrus deodara and it belongs Pinaceae (pine) family.

Deodar tree

If the Deodar tree is planted properly it will not require much care. Since these trees are very drought resistant, they do not require more rain or irrigation. Occasional rainfall is also enough for them.

What is the deodar tree called in English?

Deodar tree is called as Cedrus deodara, the deodar cedar and Himalayan cedar in English. Its botanical name is Cedrus deodara.

Where are deodar trees found?

These trees are evergreen coniferous trees and occurring at 1,500–3,200 m (4,921–10,499 ft) altitude. Deodar tree is native of western Himalaya, eastern Afghanistan, and northern Pakistan. Deodar is also the National tree of Pakistan.

These trees are occurring at Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling in India. It is also available in western Nepal and Tibet.

Where are deodar trees found in India?

Deodar trees are found in Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh,  Himachal Pradesh, Darjeeling in India.

What is the meaning of the deodar tree?

Word Deodar is derived from the Sanskrit word “devadaru”. It means Tree and wood of Gods. This is a sacred tree and it is worshiped as a divine tree in the Hindu religion.

It is believed that during “21 Patra (leaves) pooja”, lord Ganesha offered this leaf. Deodar forests, as well as Deodar trees, are mentioned in many Indian Hindu epics.

Are deodar trees deciduous?

The deodar tree is from the Pinaceae family. Deodar includes both deciduous conifers as well as an evergreen tree.

How big does a deodar cedar get?

Deodar is coniferous, evergreen, and a large tree. It reaches up to 131–164 ft (40 - 50 meter) height. Sometimes it becomes up to 197 ft (60meter) tall.

Deodar Cedar

And its trunk sized up to 10 ft (3 meters) in diameter. It contains level branches with conic crown and drooping branchlets.

In a Sacramento Capital Park, the Cedrus deodara tree is registered as a California Big Tree. It has 100 feet height, 237 inches trunk circumference, and 80 feet crown spread.

Deodar tree leaves

Deodar tree leaves are cylindrical, needle-like shape. 1-2 inches (2.5–5 cm) in length. Sometimes they are 3 inches (7 cm) long and 1mm thick.

On long shots they born single and on short shoots, they born in dense clusters of 20–30 in numbers. The color of leaves varies from bright green to glaucous blue-green.

Slivery-green needles of the deodar cedar make it a very attractive and popular ornamental.

Why is deodar cedar losing its needles?

It is the cycle through which all cedar trees are going through. Most conifers has to go through it. Needles which are no longer doing the tree much good, which are old, turn yellow/brown as the tree phases them out. This way they make place for new growth from the tips.

Deodar tree cylindrical leaves

Do Deodar cedars have cones?

Deodar produces male and female cones on same tree as it is a monoecious plant. They produces cones during the summer but they release them in the autumn. 

The male cones shed their pollen in autumn. They are 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in) long. To release the winged seeds the female cones are disintegrated when mature (in 12 months). The female cones are 5–9 cm (2.0–3.5 in) broad and 7–13 cm (2.8–5.1 in) long.

Deodar Tree Cultivation

Because of its conical good-looking shape, it is widely planted and grown as an ornamental tree.  For its nice-looking dropping foliage, it is often planted in large gardens and parks.

These trees can be propagated from seed. They need a sunny spot, plenty of space, and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. These trees require ample growing space. In moderate space, they grow one to two feet per year.

A sampling of deodar should be done in the early spring months after the ground has thawed. It also can be done in the fall once the plant has gone dormant in preparation for winter. 

If it is planted in the fall it won't be needed as much water or sun as it would in the spring.

They reach up to 40 to 50 feet tall. In there native setting they can reach up to 150 feet tall. These trees should not be planted in areas that get a lot of wind.

Deodar trees are frequently killed by temperatures below about −25 °C (−13 °F). Due to this general cultivation of deodar plants is limited to areas with mild winters.

Generally, the reliable growth of the deodar plant is in warmer areas. Cultivation is succeeded in cool-summer climates. They can live up to 150 years.

How do you plant a deodar tree?

To plant a deodar plant, the hole should be at least three times wider than the tree’s root ball. Then add 25 peat and compost or aged manure to the soil to help it drain. 

Then put the root ball in the hole. Surround the tree with the soil and organic mix. Water the soil thoroughly after tamping lightly.

What is the best soil for cedar trees?

For Deodar planting, well-drained soil is required. It can grow in many types of soil, including loam, clay, and sand.

How much light do cedar trees need?

Deodar plant can tolerate partial shade but for deodar tree planting site with full sun is best. They prefer full sun.

How much water does a cedar tree need?

In the first few growing seasons, plenty of water should be given to the deodar plant. Deodar is somewhat drought-resistant. It does not require more water ones it established. 

These plats don’t want wet feet but need moist soil. Hence check and make sure that your soil where you planting deodar is offered good drainage.

Temperature and Humidity

Deodar cedar is not a delicate tree. It can heat and humidity. It has the best tolerance for humidity and heat.

What is the best fertilizer for cedar trees?

Deodar doesn’t need too much fertilization. Too much nitrogen can cause root burn. Therefor ones in a year are enough. 

Before new growth begins, in the spring months, fertilize the ground around the tree.

How do you trim a cedar tree?

Pruning is not much needed in the case of a deodar tree as it is a low maintenance tree. It's needed only to remove those branches which are damaged and have become dead. 

Also, to prune diseased branches before new growth begins in the spring. Cutting too many green branches is easy and it may lead to the tree's death.

Hence, extreme care should be taken when pruning is done as cutaway branches may not grow back. 

What kind of bugs live in cedar trees?

It is known that deodar cedars are attacked by giant conifer aphids. They produce honeydew which is a sticky liquid. It makes everything tacky when it falls on the ground. 

To remove the pests or to manage these aphids, spray with high-pressure water. After removing pests use insecticidal soap. Apply a systemic insecticide in the spring.

A parasitic mushroom honey fungus may develop on the deodar tree. These parasitic mushrooms can't be controlled with chemicals. 

But it can be controlled by burying a physical barrier, such as a heavy-duty plastic sheet, in the soil.

Care should be taken that soil should not be soggy. If soil does not drain well root rot may occur. If honeydew is present there may also be spots with sooty mold.

Deodar Cultivars

The northwest species' range in Kashmir and Paktia Province, Afghanistan is the most cold-tolerant deodar tree. Some selected species tolerate temperatures down to about −30 °C (−22 °F).

Some cultivars from this region are names as Eiswinter, Eisregen, 'Kashmir, Karl Fuchs, Shalimar, and Polar Winter.

Eiswinter, Eisregen, Polar Winter, and Karl Fuchs were selected in Germany from seed collected in Paktia.

Nursery trade selected Kashmir cultivar. While Shalimar is originated from seeds collected from Shalimar gardens in the Kashmir region of India in 1964.

The Royal Horticultural Society awarded the Award of Garden Merit to C. Deodara, Aurea, Feelin, and Blue.

What are the uses of Devadaru tree? or What is the use of deodar tree?

Deodar tree or Devadaru trees are used in Ayurvedic medicine. In aromatherapy, Cedar oil is often used because of its aromatic properties.

Deodar tree bark contains large amounts of taxifolin. Deodar wood is in great demand as a building material.

Deodar Timber

Deodar use as a Construction material

Deodar timber is durable, rot-resistant, fine, and close grain having the capability of taking a high polish. Due to these all character deodar is in great demand as a building material.

Sleepers of trains, furniture, house doors and windows, cabinets, etc. are also made. Pencils are also made from deodar tree wood.

It is an ideal wood for constructing the well-known houseboats of Srinagar, Kashmir because of its rot-resistance character.

Deodar wood was used in the construction of religious temples and in landscaping around the temples. It is well recorded in history.

It was used to construct public buildings, bridges, canals barracks, and railway cars on a large scale during the British colonial period in India and Pakistan.

It is durable timber but it is not strong timber. This timber is brittle in nature and hence it is not for delicate work where strength is required.

Is Deodar a hardwood?

Deodar is a softwood as conifers are softwoods.. Deodar is not a hardwood. It is not strong or hard as other softwoods like fir or pine but it is softwood and it is water resistant.

Use of Deodar as an ornamental tree

The deodar tree is also used as an ornamental tree. It is an evergreen tree. Its conical shape and gracefully drooping branches make it a favorite ornamental tree.

It is used to line streets. It is also used in parks and other large gardens as a specimen tree.

Deodar as Ornamental tree in the garden

Deodar tree is fast-growing, drought-tolerant, and relatively pest-free. For lawn or backyard, these conifers are graceful and attractive specimens.

Deodar trees require no pruning. It requires only removing broken or dead branches. These trees provide maintenance-free shade as well as beauty in the park or garden.

Used in Ayurvedic medicine

The root, bark, wood, and fruit of this tree are used in medicine. It is used to treat neurological disorder, asthma, pruritus, fever, wounds. It is recommended to apply its oil in arthritis and headaches.

From its shavings and sawdust, two and a half to four percent, yield a volatile oil, which is known as 'Himalayan Cedarwood Oil' as an aroma.

Shavings and sawdust can be treated as firewood when removed. Cedarwood is also used in Ayurvedic medicines. The oil obtained from the food distillation is used in skin diseases and hair diseases of sheep and horses.

Its leaves contain low volatile oil as well as ascorbic acid. Balm from cedar oil is used in the production of many pain relief medicines.

It is found that insects avoid this tree. Eying this property of insect repellant the essential oil is used as an insect repellent on the feet of horses, cattle, and camels.

During storage, it can control the fungal deterioration of spices because it has antifungal properties. Its stem and outer bark are astringent.

The deodar tree inner wood is used to make incense because it has aromatic property. It has a property to distilled into essential oil. 

What is deodar cedar used for?

Deodar wood has antifungal and insect repellent properties. In Shimla, Kullu, and Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, they made rooms of deodar wood.

And these rooms are used to store meat and food grains like oats and wheat.

Deodar wood has a characteristic woody odor. 

In the course of drying out, it may change. In aromatherapy, Cedar oil is often used because of its aromatic properties.

The color of crude oils is yellowish or darker. It is used in the manufacturing of household sprays, soap perfumes, insecticides, and floor polishes. It is used as cleaning oil in microscope work.

Conclusion

Deodar tree is used in Ayurvedic medicine, It is used to make oil. It is planted as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. It's wood used in building construction and in furniture making. It is a useful tree.

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