Deciduous conifer that remains narrow pyramidal for a long time but ultimately grows to a width of 7 – 10 m. Mature trees growing in or near water form roots that protrude above the ground like stalagmites. They can attain a width of approx. 30 cm. and a height of 1 m. The fibrous trunk is very knotty and grows very broad at the bottom. It twists in an anti-clockwise spiral. Young shoots and short shoots are green. These short shoots are 5 - 10 cm long, with erect, spreading needles. This is in contrast to Metasequoia, the needles of which are opposing. The short shoots and needles fall off at the same time in the autumn. The needles on long shoots are scaly and protrude in a radial, spiral shape. The autumn colour is orange-brown to reddish brown. It is a monoecious tree with ovoid, green cones that appear after flowering and turn brown when ripe. Tolerates long periods of submersion under water.
Taxodium distichum môže dorastať do výšky 18 - 30 (50) m v závislosti od podmienok stanovišťa a klímy.
Taxodium distichum rastie priemerne rastúci a môže dorastať do výšky 18 - 30 (50) m v závislosti od podmienok stanovišťa a klímy.
Listy stromu Taxodium distichum sa na jeseň sfarbia do oranžová, červená."
Správny čas na výsadbu stromu je mimo vegetačné obdobie. V strednej Európe môže byť Taxodium distichum so zemným balom vysadený od polovice novembra do konca apríla, avšak závisí to veľmi od klimatických podmienok a druhu stromu.