If you’re itching to give your yard a makeover but don’t want to wait forever to see results, fast-growing trees are honestly a game changer. Plenty of these trees can shoot up 2 to 5 feet each year, and a few outliers will even rocket toward the sky at up to 32 feet annually. You can get that much-needed shade, privacy, or just a fresh look in a handful of years, instead of waiting out the decades for slowpokes to mature.
Whether you’re after evergreen screening for year-round privacy, a leafy shade tree to cool things off, or something a bit more ornamental, there’s a fast-growing tree for just about every climate and style. Maples, willows, cypress, poplars – you name it! Many of these reach maturity in 15 to 25 years, so you’re not stuck waiting around for a lifetime. So what are the trees that grow fast? Here are our 20 top picks:
1) Moluccan Albizia
The Moluccan Albizia is actually the Guinness World Record holder for fastest growing tree – yeah, it’s that wild. Some folks have seen it bolt up over 32 feet in a single year.
It’s native to the Maluku Islands and New Guinea, and you might spot it listed as Falcataria moluccana or Albizia falcata, depending on where you’re reading. If you want to grow this beast, give it plenty of room, as its roots are no joke. At full size, it can top out around 150 feet.
2) Royal Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
The Royal Empress Tree is one of those “blink and you’ll miss it” growers. In its first year, it might hit 20 feet – seriously.
Each spring, before the leaves come in, it puts on a show with purple flowers that smell lovely and look like foxgloves. It’s a native of China and likes full sun and well-drained soil. Most hit their stride in 7-10 years, which is pretty quick by tree standards.
3) Moringa Tree (Drumstick Tree)
Moringa oleifera is no slouch in the growth department. In just a year, it can stretch up 10 to 15 feet.
If you give it warmth and decent care, moringa might grow 3 feet a month. It’s pretty much ready for harvesting in 6 to 8 months; leaves, pods, the works.
This one’s from northern India and doesn’t mind drought. If you live somewhere chilly, you can always try it in a container and bring it inside when frost threatens.
4) Green Giant Arborvitae
Green Giant Arborvitae is a go-to if you want an evergreen wall in a hurry. Under good conditions, it’ll tack on 3-5 feet per year.
These dense, pyramidal trees are perfect for privacy, and they’ll eventually reach 40-60 feet tall. Their foliage stays green all year, maybe just darkening a bit in winter, no weird browning or yellowing.
5) Leyland Cypress
Leyland Cypress is a classic for fast privacy. Expect 3-4 feet of growth per year if you treat it right.
Plant them 4-6 feet apart for a thick hedge. Their feathery green foliage looks good year-round and blocks out nosy neighbors pretty quickly.
They do best in hardiness zones 6-10 and need a solid 6 hours of sun. Fall or spring planting is best, as summer heat isn’t their thing. Once mature, they’ll tower 50-70 feet and can handle crummy soil or drought after they settle in.
6) Red Maple
Red maples are a solid pick if you want something that won’t keep you waiting. They usually add 12 to 18 inches a year, but sometimes you’ll see up to 3 feet if they’re happy.
Most red maples hit maturity in 20 to 30 years, so you get shade sooner rather than later. They’re super adaptable too, as red maples seem to handle just about any soil or climate in North America.
7) Northern Catalpa
Northern catalpa trees are hard to beat for fast shade. They’ll often grow 2 to 4 feet each year and can hit 20 feet tall in about 20 years.
At maturity, expect 40 to 60 feet in height and a spread of up to 40 feet. Besides their rapid growth, catalpas have big heart-shaped leaves and those cool white flowers that show up in late June.
They’re pretty tough, handling USDA zones 4 through 8 and a range of soils.
8) Hybrid Poplar
Hybrid poplars are kind of the speed demons of the tree world. Once they’re established, you might see 5 to 8 feet of growth each year.
These trees are a cross between Eastern Cottonwood and European Black Poplar. They’ll eventually hit 45 to 90 feet, and you won’t have to worry about the messy cotton some poplars drop.
They’re great for privacy or shade, just make sure you’ve got the space.
9) Weeping Willow
Weeping willows are famous for their speed. Most years, you’ll see 3-4 feet of new growth, and sometimes even more if the conditions are just right.
If you plant one in rich, moist soil with plenty of sun, young trees can grow 6-8 feet in a season. They’ll eventually reach 30-50 feet tall, and those long, drooping branches are honestly mesmerizing near water or anywhere with a breeze.
10) Eastern Cottonwood
Eastern Cottonwood is a true speedster among North American natives. It can tack on 4 to 8 feet a year if you give it what it wants.
It’s not unheard of for these trees to hit 50 feet in just six years. Some grow even taller – eastern types might reach 190 feet when fully mature.
Best results? Plant them by water, such as streams, rivers, or floodplains. They love moist, well-drained soil and will reward you if you pick the right spot.
11) Silver Maple
Silver maples are another quick fix for shade. On average, they’ll grow more than two feet a year.
You could have a 50 to 80 foot tree in just 20 years. Silver maples adapt to all sorts of soils and work across USDA zones 3 through 9.
They’ll spread out, too, about 50 feet wide at maturity. The silvery leaf undersides shimmer in the wind, and in fall, you get a golden show.
12) Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Tulip trees are pretty impressive, growing 2 to 3 feet each year. They’re native to North America and can reach 70 to 100 feet when fully grown.
Despite the name, they’re not poplars, they’re actually in the magnolia family. Young trees are pyramidal, then round out as they age.
Expect those unique tulip-shaped flowers in spring and a blast of gold in the fall. If you’ve got space and need shade, this one’s worth a look.
13) River Birch
River birches are a solid bet for quick results. Typically, they’ll add 1.5 to 3 feet each year, but in really good conditions, you might see 3 to 6 feet.
They’ll top out at 40 to 70 feet with a similar spread. River birch likes well-drained, nutrient-rich soil and at least six hours of sun.
The bark peels in cool patterns, which is a nice bonus while your yard gets shady in a hurry.
14) Black Locust
Black locust is one of the fastest-growing hardwoods in North America, usually growing 2 to 3 feet per year.
Most hit 30 to 40 feet tall and 20 feet wide, though some can stretch as high as 90 feet. The bark gets deeply furrowed and dark brown as it ages, and in spring, you get fragrant white flowers. Plus, it’s a nitrogen fixer—handy for your soil.
Growth does slow after a few years, but it keeps chugging along for decades.
15) Fast-Growing Bald Cypress
Bald cypress isn’t the absolute fastest, but it’s no slouch, especially when young. It’ll reach 40-50 feet in 15-25 years if you treat it well.
Growth really depends on moisture and environment. Give it full sun, moist soil, and plenty of water to get the most out of it. These deciduous conifers are surprisingly adaptable—wet or dry, they’ll manage.
16) Amur Maple
Amur maple grows about 1-2 feet per year, which is quick for a smaller maple. It stays compact, usually topping out at 15-20 feet.
This tree’s pretty flexible about soil and climate, and once it’s established, it can handle cold winters and drought. The vivid red fall color is a real highlight, especially if you’re working with a small yard.
17) Princess Tree
The Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa) is right up there with the fastest growers, sometimes 10 to 20 feet in a year.
It’ll reach 80 to 100 feet in just a decade if things are perfect. Occasionally, you’ll see growth spurts of 15 feet in a single year, so if you’re in a hurry for shade, it’s hard to beat.
The purple flowers show up before the leaves in spring, but heads up: it’s considered invasive in North America because it spreads aggressively by wind-blown seeds.
18) Carolina Sycamore
Carolina sycamores don’t mess around, they can add 2 to 3 feet a year and eventually reach 75 to 100 feet tall. Their broad canopies make them excellent shade trees.
They like moist soil and full sun. You’ll spot them easily thanks to their patchy bark and big leaves.
19) Hybrid Elm
Hybrid elms are quick growers, typically 1 to 2 feet per year. They’ll reach around 60 feet at maturity, so you won’t be left waiting for shade.
These trees handle drought, pollution, and lousy soil like champs. Modern hybrids like Accolade and Triumph are also disease-resistant, so you get that classic vase-shaped elm look without the heartbreak of Dutch elm disease.
20) Norway Maple
Norway maple is honestly one of the quickest-growing maples you can put in the ground. This tree, originally from Europe, really shoots up, so don’t be surprised if it eventually towers at 50 to 70 feet tall.
You’ll get shade fast, thanks to its dense foliage that stretches out wide, sometimes 40 to 60 feet across. It’s ideal if you’ve got a big yard and want coverage sooner rather than later.
It’s tough, too. Norway maple handles cold northern winters without much fuss, and those sharply pointed, deeply lobed leaves? They’re pretty striking all season.
Honestly, it’s not picky about soil and seems to thrive even in city settings. If you’re dealing with a new build and need shade ASAP, this tree just makes sense.
