It is similar to "Cercidiphyllum japonicum", but can be distinguished by a combination of the following characteristics: "C. magnificum" is a smaller tree that typically has only a single main trunk (vs. large, canopy-forming, with multiple trunks); the leaves are more deeply crenated; the follicles have partially dehisce, with slightly recurved tips (vs. follicles fully dehiscing and strongly recurving tips); grows at a higher elevation, rarely co-occurring with "C. japonicum".