Introduction

With its pyramidal shape, soft silver-blue needles and drooping branches, this cedar makes a graceful specimen or accent tree. It has better cold hardiness than the species. Growing rapidly to 40 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide, it also works well as a soft screen. The trunk stays fairly straight with lateral branches nearly horizontal and drooping. Lower branches should be left on the tree so the true form of the tree can show. Allow plenty of room for these to spread. They are best located as a lawn specimen away from walks, streets, and sidewalks so branches will not have to be pruned. Large specimens have trunks almost three feet in diameter.

General Information

Scientific name: Cedrus deodara

Pronunciation: SEE-drus dee-oh-DAR-uh

Common name(s): 'Kashmir' deodar cedar

Family: Pinaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 6A through 8B (Fig. 2)

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: specimen; screen; street without sidewalk; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; highway median

Availability: not native to North America

Description

Height: 40 to 60 feet

Spread: 20 to 30 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: pyramidal

Crown density: moderate

Growth rate: fast

Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: spiral (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: needle-like (filiform)

Leaf venation: parallel

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen, needled evergreen

Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches

Leaf color: silver

Fall color: no color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: unknown

Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: oval, cone

Fruit length: 3 to 6 inches

Fruit covering: dry or hard

Fruit color: brown

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically one trunk; thorns

Pruning requirement: little required

Breakage: resistant

Current year twig color: green, brown

Current year twig thickness: medium

Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun

Soil tolerances: sand; loam; clay; acidic; slightly alkaline; well-drained

Drought tolerance: high

Aerosol salt tolerance: unknown

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: no

Outstanding tree: yes

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant

Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Use and Management

The species has been successfully used as a street or median planting with lower branches removed. It appears to tolerate compacted, poor soil but declines in areas where smog is a problem. Plant on 20-foot-centers to create a canopy of blue foliage over a small residential street. This is probably the best true cedar for the South.

Transplants easily if root-pruned or from a container and protected from sweeping winds. It does well in dry, sunny spots and will tolerate high pH and clay soil. Cold-damaged trees die back at the top.

There are some other attractive cultivars: 'Aurea'—yellow leaves (looks ill); 'Pendula'—long, drooping leaves; 'Robusta'—stiffer twigs.

Pests and Diseases

No pests or diseases are of major concern. Perhaps scales, borers, deodar weevils, and bagworms. Following a cold winter, tops often decline and dieback. Secondary fungi can sometimes be associated with this decline.