Cedrus deodara
Specifications
Family
Pinaceae
Species
Cedrus deodara (Roxb. Ex D. Don.) G. Don
deodar cedar
himalayan cedar
Description
The sapwood is yellowish-white and the heartwood is brownish; its texture is very fine and the grain is straight, with very thin rings. The wood emits a pleasant fragrance. The density varies from 0.50 to 0.60. Its resistance to weathering is remarkable, even in outdoor environments.
Plant morphology
A tree that can reach 25 m in height and exceed 1.5 m in trunk diameter. The crown is broadly conical with branches that initially descend and then ascend, widely spaced. The bark is grayish, wrinkled in mature parts, cracked into thin plates. The needles are 2–5 cm long, light green, and clustered in tufts. It produces large cones 8–12 cm long with rounded tips, which disintegrate into fan-shaped scales.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Central and South Asia: Eastern Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan, Kashmir, Northwest India, Nepal, Tibet.
Habitat and ecology
A high-altitude species that grows in the Himalayas in a wide variety of habitats. Depending on the area, it can be found between 1,700 and 3,000 m above sea level (western portion of the range) or between 1,300 and 3,300 m above sea level (eastern portion of the range). At higher altitudes, it can form pure or mixed forests with other conifers (such as Abies pindrow, A. spectabilis in Nepal, Pinus wallichiana, Picea smithiana, and Cupressus torulosa).
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
Thanks to its high resistance to alteration, even in outdoor environments, this wood is used for building structures, railway sleepers, furnishings and furniture.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Habitat loss and conversion of parts of it to agricultural land. In some areas, logging may also pose a threat.
Conservation measures
Natural parks, habitat conservation.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
LC - Least Concern - Low Risk
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2011
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2011
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Fine
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
470
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
41
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
6
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
82
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
10100
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Very durable
Insect resistance
Resistant
Miscellaneous
In its native areas it was used for the construction of temples and other places of worship.