Fast Growing Trees

There are many benefits for planting fast growing trees. Some of the top reasons are to provide shade, color, vertical dimension, soundproofing, cooling, beauty, screening, windbreaks, boundary lines and wildlife habitats for birds, animals, and insects.

Planting fast growing trees also will increase your property value by at least 20%. Home buyers almost always choose a house with trees over those that don't, all things being equal.

It's amazing that just by placing a tree in the correct area such as on the western or southwestern exposure of your house, you can significantly reduce your cooling cost in the summer by 10 -15% or more. Who wouldn't like that? We planted this Tulip tree about 15 years ago on the western side of our house.

Trees can also reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which is helpful in urban areas and they provide protection from ultra violet rays on playgrounds, schoolyards, and picnic areas. Let's face it, we all prefer having trees around if at all possible.

Many home owners want to know what type of fast growing tree they should plant.

The answer depends on factors such as: your purpose for planting the tree, soil conditions, tree location (plant the right tree in the right place), species growth and form (give trees plenty of room to grow), and know any undesirable species traits like tree roots that may grow on top of the ground.

The following trees are especially good for the Mid South and are some of our favorites.

Tip Landscaping in the area for over 27 years has given us a great insight into which trees are best for this area. Your local extension agency will have a list for your area.

Tip Before you plant any of the following trees, be sure you know how big and wide they will grow so that you can put them in the right place in your yard.

Fast Growing Trees

Autumn Blaze Maple is one of our favorites and the fastest growing maple. It's resistant to insects and disease, has award winning foliage, and great fall color.

Thuja Green Giant grows 3-5 feet each year, grows tall but takes up little room, and is disease resistant.

Royal Empress Tree grows up to 12 feet a year, has dense foliage, fragrant blooms, and is easy to grow.

Arapaho Crape Myrtle has bright red color, blooms spring to fall, very disease resistant, and grows well in tight spots.

Nelle Stevens Holly will give you year round privacy, is fast growing, grows almost anywhere, and is easy to maintain.

Tulip Poplar has gorgeous yellow fall foliage, grows up to 6 feet. a year, full yellow blooms in the spring, hard to beat for shade.

Lombardy Poplar grows up to 6 feet a year, easy to grow, great for windbreaks, fast growing for privacy.

Cryptomeria has soft feathery foliage which is great in arrangements, grows in any soil, easy to grow, and has a unique shape.

Kwanzan Cherry has vibrant pink blooms in spring and grows almost anywhere.

Autumn Cherry blooms in the spring and fall, has elegant white flowers, hugh double blooms, and is very adaptable.

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I'll also include here a list that I found in the The Southern Gardener's Book of Lists which has an excellent list of the "best plant for all your needs, wants, and whims for every growing situation."

Personally, I couldn't get along without this book. It is an excellent reference book for planting specific trees, perennials, annuals, vines, shrubs, ferns, ground covers, bulbs, ornamental grasses, wildflowers, and tropical which are proven to grow well in the South.

With over 200 lists of plants, it will end costly plant-choice mistakes and will answer common problems like poor drainage, shade, slopes, drought, alkaline, soils, and much more. What I especially like about it is that the advice comes from "professional horticulturalists and dirt-under-the nails gardeners." Order your copy by clicking on the following link Book of Lists

• Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) 50 to 70 feet in height with roughly 30 foot spread. Pyramidal in habit, heavy straight trunk, branches are distinctly horizontal. Becomes flat topped in maturity.
• Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) Tip-Do not plant this tree near to your house. It's roots will look for water and go towards your pipes causing problems. They are great for ponds and naturally wet areas far from septic tanks and pipes.
• Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) 100’ when fully grown. 4.9-6.5 pH range. Blooms in spring with red flowers, brown fruit/seeds and a summer-fall fruit/seed season. Noted for fall colors. Is drought tolerant and does not like shade. Has beautiful white bark for winter interest, but big leaves that you may not want right next to a deck
• Red Maple (Acer Rubrum) 65’ when fully grown. 4-7.4 pH range. Blooms in early spring with red flowers, red fruit/seeds and a spring-spring fruit/seed season. Noted for fall colors.
• River Birch (Betula nigra) 70’ when fully grown. 3-6 pH range. Good fall color
• Sweet gum (Liquidambar Styraciflua) 100’ when fully grown. Blooms in mid spring with green flowers, brown fruit/seeds and a summer-fall fruit/seed season. Good for fall color.

You may want to talk to a local nurseryman about your selection and you may want to ask him if there are any problems with these trees in your area.

Water and fertilize them for the first 5 years until they are well established and you will be rewarded with a great fast growing trees.

This list of fast growing trees is not complete yet. We will be adding more in the months to come. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so that you will get updates to our web site.