Xyloglucan was isolated from xylem-differentiating zones of Cryptomeria japonica. Endo-1,4-beta-glucanase digestion of the xyloglucan gave a series of oligosaccharides. These oligosaccharides were purified by gel permeation chromatography and normal-phase HPLC. Glycosyl-residue composition and glycosyl-linkage composition analyses. 1H NMR spectroscopy and FAB-mass spectrometry of the oligosaccharides showed that the xyloglucan was composed of five kinds of oligosaccharide. These oligosaccharides are commonly found in xyloglucan from dicot plants and are characterized as XXXG, XXLG, XXFG, XLLG and XLFG. These results suggest that xyloglucan from gymnosperms has similar structure to that of dicots.