Question

Wood of Cedrus deodara is mainly used for making
A. Railway sleepers
B. Match sticks
C. Pencils
D. Furniture

Answer 1

Hint: Cedrus Deodara is also referred to as Pinus Deodara. It is an evergreen tree shaped like a pyramid. Its wood has the characteristics of rot-resistance and durability.

Complete Answer:
A native of the north-western Himalayas, Cedrus deodara is found at altitudes between 4,000-10,000 ft. From its cone, which is 3-6 inches long and brown in colour, Cedrus deodara seeds are derived.
Now, let us find the solution from the options-
- Cedrus deodara wood is used to make railway sleepers. It is also used to build bridges and as structural timber. Due to its rot-resistant character, durability and strong polishing performance, it has great demand as a building material. It is not a strong wood, and its fragile nature makes it inappropriate for sensitive work, such as chair making, where strength is needed. Its rot-resistant nature makes it an excellent wood for building Srinagar, Kashmir's well-known houseboats.
- The wood of white pine or aspine is used for making matchsticks. Thus, the option B is incorrect.
- For producing pencils, Juniperus virginiana wood is used. Thus, the option C is incorrect.
Furniture is made using the wood of Pinus roxburghii, Callitris verrucosa, P. wallichiana, P. lambertiana, P. pinaster, etc. thus, the option D is incorrect.

Thus, the correct answer is option A, Railway Sleepers.

Note: The inner wood is aromatic and used for the creation of incense. The wood inside is refined into essential oil. As insects fear this tree, the essential oil can be used on the feet of cattle, horses, and camels as insect repellent. It has antifungal effects, too.