Bald Cypress vs Dawn Redwood
This guide is under construction and has not been published yet. It may have errors. When in doubt, double-check other sources for definitive ID.These species are easily confused, especially in landscaping where both are planted. Dawn Redwood is rare in the wild. They are easily distinguished by close examination of the twig arrangement.
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) | Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) |
A large, decidiuous conifer of wetlands, native to the southeastern U.S. | |
 Shoots are arranged irregularly along the twig, only rarely opposite, sometimes alternate, and with irregular spaces between shoots. Photo © Conway Hawn, CC BY 4.0. |  Shoots are arranged more regularly along the twig, usually opposite, occasionally alternate, and tending to be spaced more regularly. Photo © Emily Franzen, CC BY 4.0. |
References & External Resources
These short lists show only links helpful for ID. For a complete list of references and resources also covering other aspects of ecology, visit the links section of the full article on each plant, which is the first entry here.
