Types of Fast Growing Trees

Willow

• The willow varieties are some of the fastest growing trees available. With over 300 different willow categories from pussy willows with their fuzzy catkins to Weeping willows with their majestic beauty, this species needs adequate water to grow fast. The size of this species depends greatly on the specific cultivar. Willows can grow up to 80 feet tall.

Crape Myrtles

• Ranging from 15 to 25 feet in height, the Crape myrtle varieties are year-round beauties where they thrive, in the Southern region of the United States. Crape myrtle trees have delicate blooms that resemble the crepe paper found in craft stores. The Crape myrtle tree has foliage that turns many colors during the fall and through winter, with many different color blooms from red, white, purple and pink.

Empress Tree

• With rich and fragrant scent, lavender blooms and growing up to 60 feet tall, the Empress tree can form a dense canopy of shade. The Empress tree loves full or partial sun. Some varieties may be invasive.

Lombardy Poplar

• The Lombardy poplar grows fast and to a height of up to 100 feet tall. This variety of fast growing trees is tall and narrow. The foliage turns from green to golden in the fall.

Sweet Gum

• A fast growing shade tree with green glossy leaves, the sweet gum tree reaches heights of up to 75 feet tall. The sweet gum tree provides shade and brilliant fall colors. The bark of the Sweet gum tree is often peeled back and used for paper pulp and baskets.

Dawn Redwood

• Thought to have been extinct for many years, the ancient dawn redwood trees bear brown, small cones and soft, needle-like leaves. Dawn redwood trees are deciduous and can grow up to 100 feet tall. These trees grow best and fastest in water logged soil.

River Birch

• Growing up to 70 feet in height, the river birch is most used for its cinnamon colored, papery bark layers and lustrous green leaves. This species of birch tolerates extreme heat, dry soil and waterlogged soil.

Tuliptree

• The tuliptree, or yellow poplar, is a fast grower with flowers that resemble tulips in profile and leaves that turn yellow in the fall. Growing up to 90 feet tall, the tuliptree loves moist soils and provides abundant shade cover.