Abstract:Abstracts:The physical and mechanical properties of Metasequoia glyptostroboides,Taxodium ascendens,Taxodium distichum in Jianghan plain were studied. The results were as follows.The density and hardness of Taxodium distichum were the highest,while their MOR (modulus of rupture)were almost the same. The MOE (modulus of elasticity) of Metasequoia glyptostroboides was 2.3 times as much as that of Taxodium distichum.However,the MOE of Taxodium distichum was nearly the same as that of Taxodium ascendens.On the other hand,physical and mechanical properties difference between different direction was researched. Their density and compression strength parallel to grain had no statistically significant difference (at 5% level) between north and south directions. The MOR of Taxodium ascendens and Metasequoia glyptostroboides had no significant difference at 5% level, while the MOR of Taxodium distichum was significant ly different at 1% level.The MOE of Taxodium distichum and Taxodium ascendens had significant difference at 1% level,while the MOE of Metasequoia glyptostroboides was not significantly different at 5% level.In addition, the properties of outer wood were higher than that of core wood.The study on their physical and mechanical properties aimed to provide basis for their cultivation and effective utilization.