Cedar info please

Hi. I have come across a Cedrus deodara 'Karl Fuchs' for sale and although it looks like a fantastic tree there is very little information on it. I have found out that it is a bluer form and has a more upright habit than the species but that is all. Does anyone know how tall or wide it will grow eventually?
Hope you can help.
Luke

 

This Deodar Cedar really has not been around
long enough for us to know within reason how
large it will eventually become. Based on what
I've seen of the trees relative slow growing ability
here, regardless of whether it is grown on its own
roots or was a grafted plant, I just do not see this
tree getting up to a 80' x 40' tree in our lifetimes.
A 30-35' x 10-15' tree in the next 30-35 years or
so might be closer when grown here and I am
being a little optimistic. The tree seems to grow
upright and narrow with not a lot of spread to it.
4-5' tall plants sold at retail are generally grafted
but once these plants are in the ground they just
do not grow fast at all here. I have to qualify that
I have not seen these grown at many locations here
or in Oregon. I have not seen them being grown
in Washington for example so you may want to
have Ron's thoughts on this tree grown there. I
think this tree is better suited for cooler climates
than it is for the warmer ones. For the warmer
areas this tree probably should be protected from
hot and dry afternoon winds as the tree appears
it can be susceptible to a spider mite infestation.
Cooler areas should not have to worry too much
about the wind carried mites plus in warm and
moist areas the moisture in the air will help ward
off the mites from sticking to the needles. I think
offhand this tree can handle USDA zones 6-9.

Jim

 

German introduction, <1979. K. Fuchs collected the seeds in the wild. Good blue. Min. -13F or less.

 

It is one of the hardier selections, collected in the northwest of the species' range in Paktia Province, Afghanistan - it has survived temperatures down to -27°C in Denmark, which 'ordinary' Cedrus deodara doesn't.

As to size - I don't see why it shouldn't reach 30m tall eventually.

 

Thanks so much for your help guys. Its just what I needed to know. I now know exactly where I will plant it!