By outcome
Trees That Grow Tall Quickly
This is the page for visitors who do not just want speed, but vertical payoff. The list filters for trees that are both fast-growing and capable of becoming substantial landscape trees.
Matching trees
Fast-growing trees that also have meaningful mature height potential.
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
1.5–2 ft/yr (fast) · 40–120 ft tall · Zones 2–9
Best for: shade
American Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 75–100 ft tall · Zones 4–9
Best for: shade
Dawn Redwood
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 70–100 ft tall · Zones 4–8
Best for: shade · privacy
Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–100 ft tall · Zones 3–9
Best for: shade
Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 60–90 ft tall · Zones 6–9
Best for: windbreak · evergreen
Tulip Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 70–90 ft tall · Zones 4–9
Best for: shade
American Elm
Ulmus americana
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 60–80 ft tall · Zones 3–9
Best for: shade
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–80 ft tall · Zones 3–8
Best for: privacy · windbreak
Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–80 ft tall · Zones 3–9
Best for: shade
Black Walnut
Juglans nigra
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–75 ft tall · Zones 4–9
Best for: edible · shade
Willow Oak
Quercus phellos
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–75 ft tall · Zones 5–9
Best for: shade · street
Deodar Cedar
Cedrus deodara
1.1–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–70 ft tall · Zones 6–9
Best for: ornamental · privacy
Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 4–8
Best for: shade
Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 2–7
Best for: ornamental · shade
Pin Oak
Quercus palustris
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–70 ft tall · Zones 4–8
Best for: shade · street
River Birch
Betula nigra
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 30–70 ft tall · Zones 4–9
Best for: shade · ornamental
American Chestnut Hybrid
Castanea dentata hybrid
4–7 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 4–8
Best for: edible · native
Leyland Cypress
x Cuprocyparis leylandii
2.3–5 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 6–10
Best for: privacy · windbreak
Green Giant Arborvitae
Thuja x 'Green Giant'
3–4 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 5–8
Best for: privacy · windbreak
Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria japonica
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 6–9
Best for: privacy · ornamental
Hybrid Poplar
Populus deltoides x nigra
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 3–9
Best for: privacy · windbreak
Shumard Oak
Quercus shumardii
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–60 ft tall · Zones 5–9
Best for: shade
Autumn Blaze Maple
Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred'
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 40–55 ft tall · Zones 3–8
Best for: shade
Empress Tree
Paulownia tomentosa
3–5 ft/yr (very fast) · 30–50 ft tall · Zones 5–9
Best for: shade · ornamental
Illinois Everbearing Mulberry
Morus alba x rubra 'Illinois Everbearing'
3–5 ft/yr (fast) · 30–50 ft tall · Zones 5–9
Best for: edible · shade
Willow Hybrid
Salix matsudana x alba
2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 35–50 ft tall · Zones 4–8
Best for: privacy · shade
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