Information About Deodar Leaves
Tall, lush, cone-shaped deodar cedars (Cedrus deodara) possess feathery foliage. Deodar cedar grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. These trees may grow very tall, frequently putting on 30 feet of increase in no more than 10 years, so they’re ideal for bigger yards where the full majesty of the form and leaves may shine.
Leaf Attributes
Evergreen, needlelike leaves grow in a whorl encircling and traveling the length of each budding branch. Each leaf needle measures approximately 2 inches long. You will find 20 to 30 needles in each whorled cluster, providing the deodar tree its dense foliage. Leaf color fluctuates depending on the cultivar, but many varieties are medium to dark green. “Aurea” deodar, which rises in USDA zones 7 through 9, produces yellow foliage, while “Kashmir,” which grows in zones 6 through 9, attributes silvery-green leaves.
Landscape Tips
Deodar, like most cedars, has exceptionally fragrant leaves and bark which adds a pleasant scent to your lawn. The mixture of year round colour and a well-balanced form, even without pruning, makes this tree a standout. Even though this tree can grow 80 feet or taller with a spread of 40 feet, annual pruning can keep it in a shorter height more suitable for a lawn. When pruning, disinfect the shears by wiping them with an isopropyl alcohol-soaked cloth. Cut just into green, leafy wood. Pruning woody stems which are no longer generating leaves results in bare patches in your tree.
Cones and Catkins
Nestled in the leaves, the green 3-inch-long cones mature to brown and also hold the seeds to your tree. Each cone stays on the tree for approximately two years before releasing its own seeds, hence that the cones are a year feature on most deodar cedars. Newly emerging leaves in spring are far lighter than the old needles, usually a striking silver-blue which provides a colour contrast. The tree also creates long pollen catkins in spring. These discharge yellow pollen, which may leave deposits on exterior furniture or parked automobiles under the tree. Seasonal needle drop is not heavy, however, the large cones can give rise to a litter issue.
Care Factors
A site with all-day sun provides for healthier growth and the very best leaf look. Deodar trees are drought-tolerant and rarely require watering, obtaining all of the moisture they need from rainfall and encompassing landscape watering. The tree doesn’t require fertilizer and may prosper even in poor soil in the event the site drains well. Pests, such as borers, weevils and scales, may sometimes infest a deodar but controller is not essential. Diseases seldom cause problems, although foliage dieback near the top of the tree might happen if there is a frost.