The term "cedar" is very confusing. Deodara is one of only four true cedars, the others being cedar of Lebanon, Atlas or Atlantic cedar, and Cyprus (not cypress) cedar. The eastern red cedar is a juniper, while the western red cedar is an arborvitae. Port Orford Cedar and Alaska Yellow Cedar are chamaecyparis, which means false cypress (not Cyprus). The deodara is native to the Himalayas, while the other true cedars, which may be regional variations of the same species, are native to the Mediterranean.

Much of this tree was ripped apart in the storm of 2003. Click here to see furniture made from some of the pieces.