Climacium americanum, Brid.

Climacium americanum  can most often be found growing on moist soil near wet areas. The moss grows like a mini tree, with most of the stem being leafless. The moss generally grows in a vertical fashion with a horizontally creeping stem. The branches form in cluster near the tips of the stem. The leaves are normally between 1.5mm to 2.5mm long and are ovate to lanceolate, spreading slightly when wet. leaves are pleated and have small ear lobe like structures on the edges of the their base.

Compared to:

Climacium dendroides- Leaves appear less wide and lack lobes at the bottom of their leaves.

Thamnobryum alleghaniense- Leaves are unpleated, branches generally curve towards the ground.