General Information :

• Red cedar is a fast-growing, large deciduous tree with a rounded, spreading, dense crown.
• Bark dark grey in color.
• Flowers honey scented small yellowish in color.
• Fruits are dark brown capsule with winged seeds at both ends.

Distribution :

 

• It is widely distributed in India

 

Habitat : Deep, rich loamy soil, and alluvial soils.

Soil : Occurs in red lateritic soils and dry sandy soils.

Soil pH : 5.5 and 7.5

Altitude :Up to 1500 m(MSL)

Rainfall :1100-4000 mm

Temperature : 37-47 deg c

Terrain : Plains and low lands

Tree Characteristics :

• Light demander and sensitive to Frost and drought.

Habit : Evergreen Tree

Natural Regeneration :

• Naturally regenerates by seeds under favorable conditions.

Artificial Regeneration :

• Propagated by direct sowing and Nursery raised seedlings.

Seed collection and Storage :

• The seeds are collected during May - June
• The best time to collect seeds is when fruits turn yellow and a few start opening.
• One kg of fruits gives about 200 gm of clean seed.
• About 350 seeds weigh one gram.
• The germination capacity ranging from 50-80%.

Seed Treatment :

 

• No pre-sowing treatment is required.

 

Nursery Technique :

• The seeds are broadcasted on the raise mother bed in May-June.
• Beds are covered with thin layer of paddy straw and watered regularly.
• Germination starts within seven days.
• Two leaf stage seedlings are pricked out in poly bag.
• 6-8 months old nursery raised seedlings are fit for planting.

Plantation technique :

• Planting done on the onset of rains.
• Pit size adopted : 30 cm3 and 45 cm3
• Spacing adopted: 3 m x 3 m and 4 m x 4 m.

Care & Disease Control :

 

• Regular weeding and soil working are essential in young plantation.
• Thinning in well grown plantation is required in the 4th year onwards.

Irrigation :

• Good drainage is necessary for optimum development of the seedlings.

Recommended Harvest :

• 10-15 years

Yield :

• Approximately170-200 tons/ ha.

Major uses :

• Timber gives ornamental veneer, used for making furniture, house construction, ceilings, floors, boarding’s, panels, doors and window frames and musical instruments and pencils.
• It is popular for road side avenues.

Other uses :

The flowers contain a red colouring matter and also a sulphur-coloured dye.Cotton and woollen fabric can be dyed a dull yellow by mere immersion in a boiling extract of the flowers. Used in conjunction with safflower and turmeric, they produce a sulphur-yellow colour.The bark contains tannin. A fibre obtained from the bark has been used traditionally for twines and the manufacture of string bags.An aromatic oil can be extracted from the fruit

Market details :

• Approximately rs.3500 to Rs.3700/ton.