This is evident at certain times of the year when the ground, as well as sidewalks and cars, are covered with a fine yellow-green powder. Male cones are lower on the tree to prevent their pollen from fertilizing the female cones on the same tree. Cross breeding is important in almost all organisms. There are many deodar cedars growing on the zoo grounds. A particularly majestic example grows in front of the Seattle Rotary Education Center in the South Gate Plaza.
Children find climbing the massive, low swooping branches irresistible.
Another excellent example can be seen from the boardwalk of the outdoor orangutan forest in the zoo's Trail of Vines. This provides the visitor a good look at the cones developing in an upright fashion along the mature branches. The name Cedrus comes from Kedros, the ancient Greek word given to a resinous tree. The wood of deodar cedar is stronger than most conifers. Conifers are the world's tallest, oldest and most massive trees.