A dwarf variant, ‘Snow Sprite,’ was also developed forbonsaicultivation.

‘Shalimar’ is one of the most common varieties in the United States, known for for its hardiness.

This species is native to the western Himalayas.

It is also a long-lived tree, documented to live up to 1,000 years old.

It is in thePinaceaefamily, which includes evergreen and deciduous conifers such aspine, spruce, andfir trees.

This tree is sacred in Hinduism.

It has gray scaly bark.

They are produced in whorls of 20 to 30 needles and appear individually on long shoots.

A disadvantage of this tree is it can get messy when losing its needles.

The tree needs all that space because of its beautiful weeping branches, which will grow and spread.

Avoid planting this tree in areas that get a lot of wind.

Tamp the soil lightly, and water it thoroughly.

Water

Once established, deodar cedars are somewhat drought-resistant.

Give the tree plenty of water during the first few growing seasons.

Ensure your soil offers good drainage because this species likes moist soil but cannot tolerate wet feet.

Test the pH level.

Cedars like acidic soil down to about 5.5.

If the soil isn’t very acidic, use an acidifying fertilizer.

Never fertilize the cedar more than once yearly, as too much nitrogen can cause root burn.

Types of Deodar Cedar

Pruning

Deodar cedar is a low-maintenance tree.

Propagating Deodar Cedar

It is not easy to propagate deodar cedar trees from cuttings or grafting.

Propagating from seeds is the recommended way to go.

The planter or container should have ample drainage holes; roots do not like soggy soil.

Use a well-draining, slightly acidic potting compost.

Cedar tree roots require ample room to grow, so they may need repotting each year.

Early springtime is the ideal time for repotting.

To manage these aphids, spray high-pressure water to remove the pests and useinsecticidal soap.

In the spring, apply a systemic insecticide.

The biggest killers of deodar cedars are cedar bark beetles.

Another sign is leaking sap and dead branch tips.

There may also be spots with sooty mold if honeydew is present from aphids.

Cedar rust is another fungal disease that can create lesions in the plant.

Overwintering

Cedar is a softwood.

Young branches need protection since young broken limbs may not grow back, permanently misshaping the tree.

Never wrap tightly since it can harm branches and cause girdling.

Only use wraps during winters with heavy snowfall or snow sticking regularly.

However, several diseases, insects, and environmental conditions can cause problems for deodar cedars.

These trees may recover in spring as the salts leech out of the soil.

Spider mites can also cause needle discoloration in the summer.

For larger infestations, useneem oilor insecticidal soap.

Eventually, branches and twigs turn brown and die.

Applying an insecticide is not the best course of action.

Beneficial insects and wild birds that prey on them, like woodpeckers, are the best control.

The tree usually starts browning or dying from the top down.

If you notice this condition beginning in the spring or summer, it’s likely rust.

If you notice orange or yellowish jelly-like growths on branches, remove the branches to preserve the tree proactively.

A healthy tree can fight off the disease.

Young trees will likely die within the year.

The deodar cedar tree has been documented with an incredible lifespan of up to 1,000 years.

The most common causes of death for deodar cedar trees are cedar bark beetle infestations and cedar rust.

University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Cooperative Extension.

Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs.The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.

July Q & A.

University of California Cooperative Extension.

Armillaria Root Rot of Trees and Shrubs.

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences.