Sitting under the cool shade of a tree on a scorching summer day is a pure delight. Not only does it provide respite from the heat, but it also helps lower energy costs. If your yard lacks trees, it’s time to consider planting some fast-growing shade trees. These trees can add up to 25 inches in height each year, with the fastest-growing species reaching a height of at least 25 feet within a decade.
Here is a selection of moderate and fast-growing trees that can provide shade in your yard. It’s important to consult with local experts before planting to ensure the best choices for your specific landscape, climate, and growing conditions. Fast-growing trees can be rewarding, but it’s crucial to make informed decisions to avoid potential problems down the line.
The Pros and Cons of Planting Fast-Growing Shade Trees
Planting trees has a lasting impact on your property and the environment as a whole. Before grabbing a shovel, it’s wise to consider the pros and cons of planting fast-growing shade trees and the long-term effects they may have.
Pros
- Trees act as natural protectors by reducing noise pollution, air pollution, air temperature, heat, and sunlight.
- Fast-growing shade trees provide quick results, allowing your landscape to mature rapidly, filling in empty spaces and adding shade and privacy to your yard within a few years.
- A shade tree can lower temperatures in outdoor living spaces by up to 25 degrees and even save on cooling costs by shading windows.
- Trees offer food and shelter for wildlife, and fast-growing varieties can provide these benefits sooner.
Cons
- Some fast-growing trees have weaker wood that is more susceptible to damage from storms and high winds.
- Certain fast-growing trees have aggressive root systems that can invade structures, sidewalks, pipes, and septic systems, causing damage.
- Fast-growing trees often require more frequent pruning.
- Planting an evergreen shade tree may block helpful winter sun, so careful placement is essential for trees that retain their leaves in fall.
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1. American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
The American sweetgum stands out with its star-shaped leaves, which turn vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple in autumn. It produces ornamental fruit that resembles spiky gum balls and is known for its resin, which can be used as chewing gum. This tree, which thrives in zones 5 through 9, can tolerate moist soil and prefers full sun. Growing at a rate of 1 to 2 feet per year, it can reach an impressive height of 80 feet.
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2. American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
The American sycamore, also known as the plane tree, is a fast-growing shade tree that can reach heights of up to 100 feet. Its unique peeling bark reveals creamy white spots, and it produces round seed balls. With large leaves featuring serrated lobes, the American sycamore grows in zones 4 to 9 and can withstand pollution, wind, wet soil, and drought. However, its shallow, widespread roots can cause damage to pipes and pavement, and the tree is prone to fungus and hollow trunks with age.
3. Arborvitae (Thuja spp.)
Although not known for its wide shade canopy, the arborvitae is a tall, slender evergreen frequently used as a hedgerow, windbreak, or privacy screen. Its flat, lacy, emerald-green needles are soft and fragrant. This North American native can tolerate various soil types but prefers moist, well-draining soil and full sun. While arborvitae can be susceptible to winter windburn and heavy snow, it rarely experiences pest or disease issues. Some species can reach heights of 70 feet or more, growing at a rate of 3 to 4 feet per year.
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4. Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
Considered a living fossil, the dawn redwood was once thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in China. This majestic tree features fine, feathery needles, reddish-brown peeling bark, and rounded cones. Unlike most conifers, this deciduous tree loses its needles in winter. Growing at a rate of 2 to 3 feet per year, it reaches a height of 75 to 100 feet. Dawn redwoods thrive in zones 5 to 8 and prefer full sun and consistently moist soil.
5. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
The eastern white pine is a soft-needled pine tree with long, gray-green foliage. Its conical shape and attractive appearance make it a popular choice for ornamental planting. Growing in zones 3 through 8, this evergreen can reach heights of 80 feet or more. It prefers full sun and well-draining, moist, acidic soil. However, it can be sensitive to salt, air pollution, pest infestations, and various tree diseases.
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6. Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
The empress tree, also known as the princess tree, is a fast grower, reaching heights of up to 15 feet each year. It boasts delicate blossoms that fill the air with a sweet vanilla scent and a dense shade canopy. However, it’s important to note that the empress tree is considered invasive in some regions of the U.S. (Pennsylvania to Georgia and west to Missouri). It thrives in zones 5 through 9 but can become challenging to manage once it starts to decline. If cut down, the roots can send up new growth several feet away.
7. Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
The hackberry is an incredibly hardy tree that can withstand a wide range of temperatures and conditions, making it a popular choice for urban landscapes. It thrives in zones 2 through 9, growing at a rate of 1 to 2 feet per year and reaching 40 to 60 feet in height. Hackberry trees produce serrated leaves, small dark red fruits that attract birds, and distinctive corky bark. They are resilient to heat, drought, salt spray, wind, ice, and flooding.
8. Washington Hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum)
While not the fastest-growing tree, the Washington hawthorn provides value to wildlife and grows at a moderate rate of 1 to 2 feet per year. Birds and animals feed on its bright red berries during winter, and in spring, the branches burst with showy white flower clusters. This shade tree thrives in zones 4 through 9, reaching a mature height of 25 to 30 feet with a 25-foot-wide canopy. It can withstand average water conditions and becomes fairly drought-tolerant once established.
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9. Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrata)
Related to the elm but immune to Dutch elm disease, the Japanese zelkova rapidly grows into a vase-shaped tree with golden foliage in the autumn. As the tree matures, its bark adds a touch of color. It can reach heights of 50 to 80 feet with a wide canopy spread of 65 feet. Although not native to North America, it can tolerate urban conditions in zones 5 through 8 and can withstand some periods of drought once established.
10. Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
The northern catalpa is a showy tree that features fragrant white flowers in late spring and early summer. It possesses giant heart-shaped leaves, unique dangling seed pods resembling beans, and twisting trunks and branches. Thriving in zones 4 through 8, this shade tree tolerates urban conditions well and provides dense shade. Growing at a rate of 1 to 2 feet per year, it tops out at 40 to 70 feet in height. Northern catalpa prefers full to partial sun and can tolerate various well-draining soils. However, its wood is weak, and its branch structure is brittle, which can result in limb breakage. Additionally, spent flowers and dried seed pods create a mess.
11. Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
As one of the fastest-growing oaks, the northern red oak can reach impressive heights of up to 75 feet at a growth rate of approximately 2 feet per year. Its long, heavily lobed leaves turn a brilliant red in the fall. In spring, yellowish-green catkins adorn the tree. Grown in full sun in zones 3 through 8, the northern red oak features a dense crown that provides ample shade. It is versatile, adaptable to urban settings, and adds height to the landscape for a natural look.
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12. Nuttall Oak (Quercus nuttallii)
The Nuttall oak is an excellent choice for urban and suburban landscaping. It can survive in various soil conditions, from wet to moderate drought. Growing at a rate of 2 to 3 feet per year in zones 5 through 9, it reaches a height of 40 to 60 feet with a similar spread. This oak’s dark-green leaves with deep lobes turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. The Nuttall oak has few issues with pests or diseases and develops a sturdy branching structure, making it an ideal shade tree.
13. Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
The paper birch is a standout tree known for its peeling white bark. It displays a lacy canopy of double-toothed leaves on a clump of trunks, creating dappled shade. However, this short-lived tree requires moist soil and doesn’t tolerate drought conditions well. It thrives in zones 2 to 7 and is commonly found along stream banks. While its branches can break from strong winds or heavy snow, it grows at a rate of 2 feet per year until it reaches heights of 60 to 70 feet and a width of 35 feet.
14. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
The pin oak is a fast-growing shade tree, adding 2 to 3 feet of growth per year. It is distinguishable by its pendulous lower branches, horizontal middle branches, and upright upper branches. This tree grows in zones 4 through 8, usually near rivers, streams, and lakes. Pin oaks tolerate heat, air pollution, and wet soils, preferring moist, well-draining acidic soil and full sun. Glossy, deeply lobed leaves turn from dark green to deep red and bronze in the fall, hanging on into winter on dense branches. While its brown flowers are not showy, it produces dense shade, features strong wood, and resists damage from pests.
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15. Poplar Hybrids (Populus hybrids)
Hybrid poplars are fast-growing shade trees that boast tall, slender forms capable of withstanding wild storms. Within just five years, they can soar to nearly three stories in height, making them ideal for creating privacy screens or planted in rows. However, caution must be exercised to ensure they are not planted near sidewalks or sewer lines, as their invasive roots can cause damage. These trees produce brownish-red blooms in spring, and their silvery leaves turn yellow in the fall. Poplar hybrids can grow in nearly any soil type.
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16. Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
The quaking aspen, also known as trembling aspen, has the most extensive native range in North America, growing in zones 1 through 7. Its yellow fall foliage is highly prized, as its leaves tremble in the breeze. Quaking aspens can grow at a rate of 2 feet per year until they reach approximately 50 feet in height. They reproduce by sending up shoots from the roots, resulting in quick spread and the creation of stands. These trees should be planted in spring in loamy, well-draining soil, and they require full sun.
17. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
The red maple, also known as the scarlet maple, lives up to its reputation with stunning red blossoms in spring and fiery foliage in the fall. It is highly adaptable, flourishing in USDA zones 4 to 9. Red maples grow faster than many other maple species, except for the sugar maple. Providing full sun, they can reach a height of at least 40 feet with a spread of 35 feet. The vibrant orange to red fall colors make these trees a beautiful addition to any landscape.
18. River Birch (Betula nigra)
River birch trees are more tolerant of dry conditions compared to other birch species. They thrive in damp soils and are often found near rivers and bogs. Able to grow at a rate of 3 feet per year, river birch trees reach heights of 40 to 70 feet with a similar spread. They are well-suited to zones 4 to 9 and can withstand wet environments. River birch features attractive exfoliating white bark and medium-to-dark-green leaves that turn yellow in the fall.
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19. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
Silver maples are tall, fast-growing trees that perform well in wet areas due to their native habitat in floodplains. They add 2 feet of growth per year and can reach heights of 50 to 100 feet. As they mature, the bark becomes shaggy and grayish-brown. Silver maples produce red, yellow, and silver flower clusters in spring, followed by pairs of “winged” seeds. Thriving in zones 3 through 9, these maples prefer full sun to partial shade and tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. The tree’s vigorous root system can cause damage to foundations, sewer lines, pipes, and pavement. Additionally, silver maples are prone to limb breakage.
20. Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
The tulip poplar, also known as a tulip tree or yellow poplar, is related to magnolias and ranks as the tallest among eastern hardwoods. It forms a straight trunk and boasts a high canopy, making it an excellent choice for shade. With a growth rate of 3 to 5 feet per year, it can reach heights of 120 feet with a spread of up to 50 feet. The tulip poplar showcases bright green, uniquely shaped leaves that turn golden yellow in the fall. Its fragrant tulip-shaped flowers in green and yellow-orange shades appear in May and June. Thriving in zones 4 to 9, it prefers full sun to partial shade and experiences few pest problems.
21. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
The wax myrtle, also known as the bayberry tree, is a drought-resistant shade tree that grows approximately 5 feet per year. It reaches a height of around 20 feet, providing shade and privacy for smaller yards. This tree thrives in USDA zones 7 to 10 and requires some winter warmth. With its evergreen nature, the wax myrtle adds winter privacy screens and year-round color to the landscape. It can also grow in a shrub-like form with multiple trunks and a shorter height. However, it should not be planted within a home’s defensible space, as certain compounds in the tree are flammable.
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22. Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)
The weeping willow is a graceful and dramatic tree that can grow more than 3 feet per year. It thrives in moist, acidic soil and is cold hardy to USDA Zone 6. Weeping willows can tolerate some standing water and are excellent for preventing erosion. It’s important to exercise caution when planting them near homes, in small yards, near sewer lines, or in drought-prone areas.
With this diverse selection of fast-growing shade trees, you can transform your yard into a cool, tranquil oasis. Remember to choose the trees that suit your specific climate and growing conditions. Planting these trees will not only enhance your landscape but also contribute to a healthier environment for years to come.