Deodar Tree (Cedrus deodara)

Deodar, meaning “wood of the gods” (from Sanskrit Devadāru), is a majestic evergreen conifer native to the Western Himalayas and revered for its ecological, cultural, and spiritual significance.

Key Points

Habitat: Found in the Western Himalayas at 1,800–3,000 m altitude; prefers well-drained soils and moist temperate climates.

Climate Indicator: Tree-ring studies (e.g., Sangla Valley) show a shift from wetter prehistoric springs to drier conditions after 1757.

Morphology: Reaches up to 50 m; pyramidal shape, drooping branches, bluish-green needles; dark gray fissured bark.

Reproduction: Male and female cones on the same tree; cones are solitary, erect, ovoid, and dark brown.

Uses: Wood used in temple construction, rituals, and Ayurvedic medicine.

Threats: Logging, habitat loss, and climate change.