Deodar cedar

National tree

National symbols

A tall, graceful evergreen conifer of the western Himalayas, with drooping branches and fragrant, durable wood.

What it is

The deodar is a cedar that grows on mountain slopes between about 1,500 and 3,200 metres. Its name comes from the Sanskrit 'devadaru', meaning 'timber of the gods', reflecting how highly it was valued.

Its uses

Deodar wood is strong, fragrant and resists rot and insects, so it has long been used for houses, mosques, bridges and furniture in the northern areas; the carved wooden mosques of Swat and Kalam are famous examples.

Conservation

Deodar forests protect mountain slopes from erosion and landslides and help store water. Illegal logging and deforestation have reduced them, making them part of tree-planting and forest-protection efforts.