Cedrus deodara – Himalayan Cedar is native to the western Himalayas, occurring at altitudes of 5,000 to 10,000 ft. It is a conifer, keeping its leaves all year round and can grow up to 200 ft. Its trunk can grow up to 10 ft. in diameter. It is distinguished from other closely related species by its drooping branches. It has needle-like leaves that range between 1 and 2 inches long organized into in dense clusters on short shoots that range from bright green (new growth) to glaucous blue-green. The female cone pictured here are barrel-shaped, about 3 to 5 in. long. It is rare to see a whole cone as when they mature they fall apart to release the winged seeds.
This specimen is from Maidenhead, England, picked up one morning on the way back from a run along the tow path of the Thames.