Deodar forests

Last updated

Deodar forests are forests dominated by Cedrus deodara , the deodar cedar. This tree is found naturally in the Western Himalayas from the Gandaki River in central Nepal to the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan.

Contents

The deodar cedar is native to the Himalayas, where its local name is deodar, which translates from the original Sanskrit as "timber of the gods". They were officially introduced into cultivation in 1831, although they have been grown in Chinese parks and gardens for centuries.

Native forests

The native forests of the deodar cedar ( Cedrus deodara ) are located in the Himalayas, from Nepal through Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. This range is mostly dominated by Cedrus deodara; other species include Quercus ilex , Juglans regia , Taxus wallichiana , Picea smithiana , Abies pindrow , Pinus giardiana , Pinus wallichiana . There are several areas that appear monospecific, where Cedrus deodara is the dominant species. Most of the monospecific areas are dry temperate areas, but there are a few recorded monospecific areas that are moist temperate regions. [1]

Deodar forests have been recorded to start growing at an elevation of 5,600 feet (1,700 m) and will stop at about 9,000 feet (2,700 m). Cedrus deodara will not tolerate temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C), despite its natural high elevation. [2]

Urban forests

Deodar cedars are very popular in the urban landscape setting, making them very common. Placing more trees around cities is becoming increasingly popular and a necessity, adding to property value and air quality. [3] This is creating new urban forests by mixing new species together and creating more diversity of natural habitats. [3] The deodar cedar is native to a high climate that gets high amounts of snow in the winter season. Most places where this species is being introduced into an urban setting have less harsh conditions, allowing it to grow more resiliently. Deodars can range from 40 feet (12 m) in height to 160 feet (49 m), making them a prominent figure in the urban forest. [4]

Understory

Deodar cedars are not the only plant life of the forest. The forest floor is covered with many other plants contributing to the ecosystem, including Rosa webbiana , Rubus brunonii , Hedera nepalensis , Vicia sativa , Medicago denticulata , Rumex hastatulus , Cynodon dactylon , Rumex dentatus , Urtica dioica , Geranium rotundifolium , Viola conescens , Tribulus terrestris , and Aconitum chasmanthus . [1]

Climate

General cultivation of deodar cedars is limited to areas with mild winters, as these trees are frequently killed by temperatures below −13 °F (−25 °C). They prefer sunny and well-drained locations.

Threats and challenges

This species of tree is used industrially for lumber and its oils in its native part of the world. Afghanistan, Pakistan and India have overlogged this tree and are starting to pose a serious threat to its native environment. [5] There have been recent reports of Phytophthora cinnamomi affecting deodar cedars in the Himalayan regions. [6] Phytophthora cinnamomi has killed 200 trees so far, and another 150 are starting to show unhealthy symptoms. [6]

Cultural importance

The deodar forests in the Himalayas are considered a sacred place to the Hindu people of India. Darukavana, which translates to 'deodar forest', is mentioned quite often through ancient Hindu texts. These forests are considered a spiritual place to live for families who are devoted to the lord Shiva, the Hindu god. [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>Pinus wallichiana</i> Species of conifer

Pinus wallichiana is a coniferous evergreen tree native to the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountains, from eastern Afghanistan east across northern Pakistan and north west India to Yunnan in southwest China. It grows in mountain valleys at altitudes of 1800–4300 m, reaching 30–50 m (98–164 ft) in height. It favours a temperate climate with dry winters and wet summers. In Pashto, it is known as Nishtar.

<i>Cedrus deodara</i> Species of plant

Cedrus deodara, the deodar cedar, Himalayan cedar, or deodar, is a species of cedar native to the Himalayas.

<i>Pinus gerardiana</i> Species of plant

Pinus gerardiana, commonly known as the chilghoza pine or neja is a pine native to the northwestern Himalayas in Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, Waziristan and northwestern India, growing at elevations of 1,800–3,350 metres (5,910–10,990 ft). It often occurs in association with Cedrus deodara and Pinus wallichiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pithoragarh district</span> District of Uttarakhand in India

Pithoragarh district is the easternmost district in the state of Uttarakhand. It is located in the Himalayas and has an area of 7,110 km2 (2,750 sq mi) and a population of 483,439. The city of Pithoragarh, located in Saur Valley, is its headquarters. The district is within the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand state. The Tibet plateau is situated to the north and Nepal is to the east. The Kali River which originates from the Kalagiri Mountain flows south, forming the eastern border with Nepal. The Hindu pilgrimage route for Mount Kailash-Lake Manasarovar passes through this district via Lipulekh Pass in the greater Himalayas. The district is administratively divided into six Tehsils: Munsyari; Dharchula; Didihat; Berinag; Gangolihat; and Pithoragarh. Naini Saini Airport is the nearest civil airport, but it does not have a regular scheduled commercial passenger service. The mineral deposits present in the district are magnesium ore, copper ore, limestone, and slate. There are 11 tehsils.

<i>Abies pindrow</i> Species of conifer

Abies pindrow, the pindrow fir or west Himalayan fir, is a fir native to the western Himalaya and adjacent mountains, from northeast Afghanistan east through northern Pakistan and India to central Nepal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kishtwar National Park</span> A national park in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir

Kishtwar National Park is a national park located, just 40 km from Kishtwar town in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is bounded to the north by Rinnay river, south by Kibar Nala catchment, east by main divide of Great Himalaya and west by Marwah river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Narkanda</span> Town in Himachal Pradesh, India

Narkanda is a town and a nagar panchayat in Kumarsain subdivision of Shimla district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is at an elevation of 2708 meters on the Hindustan-Tibet Road in Himachal Pradesh, India within a fir forest. It is about 60 km away from Shimla and surrounded by the Himalayan Range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Littlefield House</span> Historic house in Texas, United States

The Littlefield House is a historic home in Austin, Texas, on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. The home was built in 1893 for Civil War veteran George Littlefield, who was a successful businessman in the bank and cattle trades and a major benefactor to UT. It was designed using the popular Victorian style at a cost of $50,000.

Deodar may refer to :

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flora of Pakistan</span> Native flora

Pakistan's native flora reflects its varied climatic zones, which range from arid and semi-arid to temperate and tropical.

Kazinag National Park is a commissioned future national park in Baramulla city of the Baramulla district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is part of a proposal for a trans-Karakoram peace park with Pakistan. Kazinag national park located in North region of kashmir.The area of kazinag national park is 160 sq.kms.It was commissioned in 1992 A.D.The National park is located on the north bank of river jehlum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Himalayan broadleaf forests</span>

The Western Himalayan broadleaf forests is a temperate broadleaf and mixed forest ecoregion which is found in the middle elevations of the western Himalayas, including parts of Nepal, India, and Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests</span>

The Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests is a temperate coniferous forests ecoregion of the middle and upper elevations of the western Middle Himalayas of Nepal, India, and Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forestry in Pakistan</span>

The forestry sector of Pakistan is a main source of lumber, paper, fuelwood, latex, medicine as well as food and provide ecotourism and wildlife conservation purposes. 4.91% of Pakistan's land is covered in forest.The Shangla district is the only district of Pakistan that composed of more than 80% of forest land

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hatu peak</span>

Hatu Peak is located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is one of the highest peaks in the region, standing at an elevation of 3400 m (11,152 ft) above sea level. The peak is surrounded by dense forest of conifers, oaks and maples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Binsar Mahadev</span> Hindu temple in India

Bindeshwar Mahadev Temple, also known as Binsar Devta or simply Binsar, is an ancient Hindu rock temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Bindeshwar, a popular deity in this region. At an altitude of 2480 meters above mean sea level, it is situated in Bisaona village, which falls in the Chauthan region of Thalisain Block in the Pauri Garhwal District of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This temple is set amidst dense forests of birch, deodar and rhododendron. The original temple structure held great archaeological significance, but it was demolished by politicians in order to create a new structure. The central chamber of the temple features the idols of Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati and Mahishasuramardini. A fair is organized there on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi every year.

<i>Pissodes nemorensis</i> Species of beetle

Pissodes nemorensis, known generally as the eastern pine weevil or deodar weevil, is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is found in North America and Africa. Deodar weevils are considered a forest pest in the United States, with adults and larvae feeding on a variety of coniferous tree species, including trees such as Deodar cedar, loblolly pine, longleaf pine, sand pine, shortleaf pine, slash pine, and spruce pine Trees of all ages are susceptible to weevil infestations, with trees that are severely stressed by fire, drought, extreme cold, fusiform rust, wind damage, and other problems are prone to weevil infestation. In well managed pine stands, deodar weevil infestations are sporadic, attacking only the suppressed and unhealthy trees throughout the area. Because they do not typically effect healthy trees, they do not usually alter traditional management strategies. Unlike many other forest pests in the eastern United States, deodar weevils are most active in the winter months, and this is often when sign of infestations can be seen. The best way to avoid a deodar weevil infestation is to maintain good tree and stand health, healthy trees do not typically face mortality or extensive damage from these pests. If an infestation has occurred, pesticides can be used in the fall as the weevils become active, but is typically not recommended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Afghan montane conifer forests</span> Ecoregion on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border

The East Afghan montane conifer forests ecoregion covers a series of unconnected conifer forests along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, at elevations of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) to 3,400 metres (11,200 ft) above sea level. The ecoregion supports the near-threatened Markhor (Capra falconeri chiltanensis), known as the Screw-horned goat, the national animal of Pakistan. The forests of the ecoregion have been heavily thinned for timber.

<i>Arceuthobium minutissimum</i> Species of dwarf mistletoe

Arceuthobium minutissimum, known as the Indian dwarf mistletoe or Himalayan dwarf mistletoe, is a leafless parasitic plant of Pinus wallichiana. It is considered the smallest known dicotyledonous plant.

References

  1. 1 2 Mesaik, Ahmed; Nazim, Kanwal; Siddiqui, Muhammad; Wahab, Muhammad; Khan, Nazreen; Khan, Nasrullah; Hussain, Syed (2010-10-01). "Community description of Deodar forests from Himalayan range of Pakistan". Pakistan Journal of Botany. 42: 3091–3102.
  2. "Cedrus deodara, Oregon State Univ., LANDSCAPE PLANTS". oregonstate.edu. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
  3. 1 2 "Urban Forests | US Forest Service". www.fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  4. "1. Deodar Cedar". depts.washington.edu. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
  5. "Deodar Cedar | University of Redlands". Sites. Retrieved 2019-10-31.
  6. 1 2 "Cedrus deodara root rot disease-threat to the Himalayan forestry and environment". www.cabi.org. 2000. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  7. "Deodar Forest Himachal Pradesh". 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2019-10-31.