The cavitation resistance of gymnosperms, an indicator of drought resistance, depends on the xylem tracheid structure and mechanical traits. In order to provide theoretical basis for reasonable cultivation during production, we studied the waterusing strategies of two garden species Metasequoia glyptostroboides and Cryptomeria fortunei with the advanced centrifuge technique and compared the tracheid anatomy and mechanical traits. The results demonstrate that (1) M. glyptostroboides has higher specific hydraulic conductivity［K_s=(1.73±0.21) kg·m^-1·s^-1·MPa^-1］ and weaker cavitation resistance［P₅₀=(-2.28±0.09) MPa］ than C. fortunei［K_s=(0.47±0.02) kg·m^-1·s^-1·MPa^-1; P⁵⁰=(-4.99±0.11) MPa］. (2) M. glyptostroboides has wider and longer tracheid with higher hydraulic diameter but lower density［D_mean=(13.61±0.46) μm; L_mean= (1 511.93±125.31) μm; D_h=(15.57±0.05) μm; Density=(2 260±77) N/mm²］ than C. fortunei［D_mean=(9.48±0.18) μm; L_mean=(1 293.48±78.56) μm; D_h=(11.68±0.02) μm; Density=(2 970±171) N/mm²］. (3) The torusmargo of M. glyptostroboides is more flexible than that of C. fortunei. (4) Ca²⁺ weakened the flexibility of torusmargo. Due to the narrow, short and less dense tracheid with less flexible torusmargo, C. fortunei is less cavitation resistant and more tolerant to drought stress, compared with M. glyptostroboides.