Tree of the week

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Good morning. Those who accuse us gloom and doomery, check out this uplifting item: tree of the week, our tribute to one of the best things about owning a house in L.A. -- the chance to grow a stunning variety of beautiful trees. From our tree-loving friend Pieter Severynen:

Deodar cedar – Cedrus deodara

Stately. Impressive. The true cedars are a worldwide aristocratic family among the evergreens. The cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus libani, is often referred to in the Bible for its beauty and fragrance. The blue Atlas cedar, Cedrus atlantica glauca, proudly displays its North African heritage, the striking foliage on its strong branches, like a peacock shows off its tail. And the deodar cedar from the Himalayas manages to be graceful and dignified at the same time. Softer and lighter looking than its relatives, it shows the family relationship in its small, dense, upright cones.

This is not a dainty tree: it grows fast to 80 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Gray green needles, 1 to 2 inches short, cover the branches that gracefully tip down at the end. Lower branches swoop down, then up at the end; upper ones also hang down slightly but display more open spacing. The dark-gray trunk becomes furrowed with age. It is a magnificent tree where it has room to grow and can display its silhouette against the sky.
All cedars are deep rooted and drought tolerant. They cast a heavy shade, especially the deodar. Many selected varieties and sizes are available.

Thanks, Pieter
E-mail Pieter: plseve@earthlink.net
Photo Credit: townofdenton.com