Abstract The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from feminine cones, leaves and branches of adult Taxodium distichum trees have been studied by GC and GC/MS. Qualitative and quantitative differences have been detected among the three oils studied, in particular the essential oil of the feminine cones contained mainly monoterpene hydrocarbons with limonene (18.7%) and Î±-pinene (71.3%) being predominant. The leaf and branch oils were also rich in Î±-pinene (79.7% and 53.7%) in addition to more oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons.