Deodar Cedar
Cedrus deodara · Evergreen Coniferous Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer / Shade Tree / Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species type (or cultivated ornamental forms such as 'Pendula' or 'Aurea')
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 9, tolerating minimum winter temperatures down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
About This Tree
A magnificent, large evergreen conifer featuring a striking conical form when young, maturing into a broad, flat-topped crown with graceful, drooping branch tips and pendulous leader branches. It exhibits a dense canopy with strong horizontal branching and rugged, dark bark.
Leaf Characteristics
Needle-like leaves clustered in dense spiral whorls on short shoots, rigid yet flexible, ranging from 1 to 2 inches in length, bluish-green to silvery-gray in color.
Bark Characteristics
Dark gray to dark brown, thick, and deeply furrowed with age, breaking into small plates or scaly ridges.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Western Himalayas, native to mountainous regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Tibet, and Nepal; widely planted in temperate regions worldwide.
Growing Season
Evergreen year-round with active growth primarily occurring in spring and early summer; pollen cones shed in autumn; best planted in spring or early autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal growth; moderately drought-tolerant once established but prefers regular watering during early years; requires well-draining soil.
Mature Size
Expected mature height of 40 to 70 feet (often taller in native habitats), spread of 30 to 50 feet, moderate to fast growth rate when young, and a very long lifespan.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for its graceful weeping habit, aromatic durable wood, and adaptability to urban environments and various soil types once established.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides essential year-round cover, roosting, and nesting sites for various bird species and small mammals; seeds consumed by squirrels and birds.