[2][3] The species is native to Russia and also to the colder parts of North America (all states and provinces in Canada except Nunavut; northern and east-central United States including Alaska).

[6] Dendrolycopodium dendroideum prefers humus-rich, sandy, moist but not completely saturated soils.

It is very similar to D. obscurum except for side shoots that are round in cross-section rather than flat, and having leaves all the same size.

[7] Historically, this and other related clubmosses had been collected for decorative Christmas greenery.

Overharvesting clubmosses destroys the slow growing, increasingly rare plant.