Just because they have similar foliage doesn't mean all their attributes are the same. Are you planting this in a pond, constantly flooded or typical moisture rentative clay? If the latter, either will do. Bald cypress have better fall color usually however not as predictable of a growth habit (my findings) as the pyramidal Dawn redwood. Knees sticking out in surrounding lawn is something else you may very well end up with in Bald cypress.

Solve the problem . . . make space for one of each :-)

Resin

I would have both, but if I could have only one, I like the form of the bald cypress better. Some people like the unusual ropy growth of the trunk around the lower branches. I can see why, but I prefer the more clean form of the baldcypress. And over all the form just seems more pleasing to my eye.

But I have both--three baldcypress, one dawn redwood. We have had this discussion about the knees before and we in this forum have different experiences. Some report the knees even on dry soil. Personally I have never seen it, and I have seen a number of large old bald cypress growing in dry soil. There ae a number growing in or near the Mall area of D.C. and none of these have knees.

To be honest, I am not sure which, if either, would do better in your soil.

--Spruce

Pond Cypress (Taxodium ascendens)is another choice. The leaves are more upright and they usually don't form the knees as bad.

You might consider "Gold Rush" dawn redwood. They're beautiful. But the regular DR is nice and so is the bald cypress.

I will be looking for some pond cypress next year.

The trees will be planted in a natural area, so knees won't be a big deal. There is not usually any standing water, but the clay is extremely heavy and the area is in a run off swale. For example, when we dug some large holes to plant trees, it rained 2 days later and the holes filled and did not drain for over 3 months. We finally filled them back in thinking no tree could grow in such conditions.
How does the growth rate compare? I am into instant gratification...if that is possible for a gardener. =-) Thanks for all of the info.

It depends. Some have reported in this forum that dawn redwoods grow up to three feet per year, but mine has been much less and actually a little slower than my bald cypress. There are dawn redwoods at the National Arboretum, in D.C. that were probably planted in the late 40's and they must be over 90 feet tall growing in a grove. I think under the best conditions for each, which you probably don't have, the dawn redwood would grow a bit faster, but they both have decent growth rates if they are growing in good conditions.

--Spruce

Montezuma bald cypress in zone 7 and warmer... A lot faster than Bald Cypress. My college (Stephen F Austin State University) has it for 20 odd years and reported that it survived 0*F (not C) during 1989 freeze. The problem is finding it at a nursery... I recently purchased some seeds but I didn't pay a close attention that they are from India where they have conducted experiments on these trees. It should be interesting to find out just how cold tolerant it is.

Just a curious question... I often read about both trees having "yellow" fall color. Do either actually have yellow fall color in some places, or is this the writer not really knowing what they are talking about?

Bald cypress' autumn foliage assumes a rusty-brown color at best. Tamaracks (larches, Larix spp.) are another deciduous conifer that does have yellow fall color. Young tamaracks are similar in appearance to bald cypress and dawn redwood.

Being someone in a colder climate, I can't speak for dawn redwood; it isn't hardy here in Minnesota. But bald cypress does just fine. I planted mine ten years ago as a six foot tree in a backyard ditch. It is now 30-35 feet tall and starting to srow those knobs in the surrounding soil. And I'm delighted by the butressed trunk, too.

Bald cypress is one of my favorite trees.

Bald cypress will do well in this area, and it would be a tree native to your area. Where possible, the native choice is usually more apt to thrive with less problems.
I grew 3 of them last year in 5 gal. pots sitting in a tub of water about 1-2 inches below top of soil level. Both choices should look good, but would think bald cypress would have greater chance of success.

I ordered 5 bald cypress!! I still have room for Dawn Redwoods, so that may be my next tree planting adventure. Thanks for all of your comments.

If you have room, get both. It has already been the expert advice from above.

Fall color on both trees tends to be a russet-brown, not yellow.

I'm growing both trees (the tallest of several 18-inch dawn redwoods planted several years ago is over 20 feet now). DRs attract some attention from Japanese beetles; I don't know if this occurs routinely with bald cypresses.

I love dawn redwoods! The trunks are awesome! Just wish it kept its leaves year-round. Here's one I planted 1 year 5 months ago; it's now twice as tall as it was when planted.

Also here's one of 3 bald cypress I planted in a pond in September. It's just getting its green leaves; don't think it has grown yet. If they get knees that will be interesting!

I chose bald cypress for the pond because I kept reading it likes standing water. The dawn redwood I planted doesn't seem to want so much water. Just planted another dawn redwood last week. Hoping it too does really well.

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